The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was convicted of plotting a military coup in last fall and handed more than a 27-year term in prison, but he continued under home detention pending court reviews.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.
This encompassed trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a public vigil that could facilitate a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a filing authorising the detention, the magistrate said data from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his child.
His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or see it all from your phone there on your couch? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could "pray for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's decision was the potential of the former president's "relocation to embassies near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a record of planning to ask for protection through a consular facility", a statement said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist American leader Trump, leading him to implement a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will have a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also requested that the former president be allowed to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he needed ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
He was convicted of leading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plan which involved plans to kill the current president and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the armed forces officials. His successor was sworn in without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of his backers attacked and damaged public facilities in the national capital, Brasília.
The police took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also barred from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 national vote.
