The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.
The ex-president was convicted of plotting a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he continued under home detention pending court reviews.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.
This included trying to remove his tracking device and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a potential flight.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a document approving the detention, the judge said information from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the protest called by his son.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a assembly of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could offer prayers for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the chance of the former president's "relocation to embassies near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a history of arranging to seek refuge through a embassy office", a announcement said.
The legal document highlights that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.
Global Responses
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, leading him to enact a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being kept in a national police facility in the capital and will have a custody hearing on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that the former president be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
The former president was determined responsible of heading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the national vote to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a plan which encompassed plans to murder the current president and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the support of the military leaders. His successor was inaugurated without incident on 1 January 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, thousands of his followers attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, the capital city.
The law enforcement stepped in and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.
The justices found that the protesters had been incited by the former president whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, reestablish control and return him to office.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the next presidential race.
