The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in incarceration, but he was staying under home detention pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a precautionary step after fresh information were revealed.
This encompassed attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the custody, the magistrate said data from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the surveillance device to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.
His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, 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 social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or watch it all from your phone there on your settee? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our land."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of his "relocation to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the United States embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is located around 8 miles from his dwelling.
International Reactions
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President Donald Trump, causing him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being held in a national police facility in Brasilia and will experience a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that the former president be authorized to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he needed frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was found guilty of leading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to kill his opponent and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The scheme was prevented because it couldn't obtain the backing of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without issue on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, many Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged government buildings in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The police intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.
The justices found that the protesters had been incited by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and reinstate his authority.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.
