The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.
The former head of state was found guilty of planning a military coup in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in jail, but he was staying under confinement pending court reviews.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after fresh information were revealed.
This involved attempting to break his tracking device and a invitation to a demonstration that could enable a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a filing authorising the custody, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the protest called by his child.
His child, Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a gathering of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or see it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's determination was the chance of Bolsonaro's "relocation to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of planning to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around 13km from his dwelling.
International Reactions
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist United States President Trump, prompting him to enact a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will experience a custody hearing on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.
They also requested that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he needed ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.
High Court judges said that he knew of a plan which encompassed plans to kill the current president and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the endorsement of the armed forces officials. Lula was took office without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, the capital city.
The law enforcement took action and around 1,500 people were detained.
The justices found that the protesters had been incited by him whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, the legal team called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.
He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 national vote.
