The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was convicted of plotting a armed takeover in September and given more than over two decades in jail, but he remained under house arrest pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a safety action after recent developments came to light.
This involved trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a potential flight.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the detention, the judge said data from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his child.
His child, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a gathering of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.
His son wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Will you battle for your country, or see it all from your smartphone there on your couch? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the return of democracy in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's decision was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The court filing underscores that the US embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is situated around 13km from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist American leader Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will undergo a custody hearing on the next day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that the former president be allowed to leave his home for medical care, saying he required regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other health problems.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the national vote to his political opponent, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which involved plans to assassinate the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was took office without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, numerous his followers invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The judges found that the protesters had been encouraged by him whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the time, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from running for public office until twenty-sixty - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the next presidential race.
