Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was convicted of orchestrating a armed takeover in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in jail, but he continued under home detention pending court reviews.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after "new facts" came to light.
This involved seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a call for a public vigil that could enable a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said information from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the former leader's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his son.
His child, his son Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on online platforms on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or see it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's determination was the potential of his "relocation to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of planning to seek refuge through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The legal document underscores that the US embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is positioned around 8 miles from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist US President Trump, prompting him to implement a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a imprisonment assessment on the following day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be permitted to depart his residence for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other health problems.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was found guilty of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the presidential race to his political opponent, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which involved plans to assassinate his opponent and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The plot was stopped because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the military leaders. Lula was took office without issue on 1 January 2023.
But a following week, on the eighth of January, numerous his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were detained.
The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the time, his attorneys called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 national vote.
