The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The former head of state was convicted of plotting a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than a 27-year term in jail, but he continued under house arrest pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.
This included trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a call for a public vigil that could enable a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said intelligence from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the protest called by his son.
His son, Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a assembly of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on social media on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so supporters could "pray for his health and for the return of democracy in our land."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the chance of Bolsonaro's "relocation to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The court filing highlights that the US embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative US President Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being kept in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will experience a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he required frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other ailments.
Details of Guilty Verdict
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of heading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a plot which involved plans to murder his opponent and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was stopped because it failed to get the support of the military leaders. Lula was inaugurated without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of his followers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The security forces took action and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The justices found that the protesters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the period, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the end of his sentence.
The ex-leader called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 national vote.
