The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was found guilty of orchestrating a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than a 27-year term in jail, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after recent developments emerged.
This involved seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a summons to a demonstration that could "allow for a potential flight.
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the judge said data from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on social media on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your sofa? I call on you to struggle 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 land."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the magistrate's decision was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of arranging to ask for protection through a embassy office", a declaration said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the United States embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is located around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.
Global Responses
His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative American leader President Trump, leading him to enact a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.
The former president is being detained in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with electronic monitoring.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for lung conditions and other ailments.
Details of Guilty Verdict
He was determined responsible of leading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the national vote to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to kill the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.
The conspiracy was prevented because it couldn't obtain the backing of the military leaders. Lula was sworn in without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, numerous Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised official structures in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The security forces stepped in and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the time, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the next presidential race.
