Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was convicted of plotting a government overthrow in last fall and given more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he remained under home detention pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.
This included trying to remove his tracking device and a call for a supporters' gathering that could enable a potential flight.
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his flight.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the protest called by his offspring.
His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or watch it all from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of his move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the US embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.
International Reactions
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist United States President Trump, leading him to implement a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
He is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that he be allowed to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he required frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was determined responsible of leading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to assassinate Lula and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was prevented because it didn't receive the support of the military leaders. The current president was inaugurated without incident on 1 January 2023.
But a week later, on the eighth of January, thousands of his backers invaded and destroyed official structures in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been provoked by him whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, restore order and return him to office.
At the period, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the court case a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him running in the next presidential race.
