The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was found guilty of orchestrating a military coup in September and handed more than a 27-year term in jail, but he remained under confinement pending legal challenges.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after fresh information emerged.
This encompassed trying to remove his tracking device and a call for a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a document approving the arrest, 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 tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the protest called by his offspring.
His child, Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his followers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Will you battle for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of the former president's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a background of arranging to ask for protection through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The legal document emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
Global Responses
Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, leading him to impose a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will have a imprisonment assessment on the following day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of leading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the national vote to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a scheme which included plans to kill his opponent and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was prevented because it failed to get the support of the armed forces officials. Lula was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, many Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised government buildings in the national capital, the capital city.
The law enforcement took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been incited by him whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.
At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until twenty-sixty - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the next presidential race.
