Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than over two decades in incarceration, but he continued under house arrest pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a preventative measure after recent developments were revealed.
This involved trying to remove his ankle monitor and a summons to a demonstration that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Escape Concerns
In a filing authorising the custody, Justice Moraes said information from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the protest called by his child.
His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on online platforms on Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I call on you to struggle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could "pray for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the magistrate's decision was the potential of his "relocation to embassies near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to request asylum through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The court filing emphasizes that the US embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader President Trump, prompting him to enact a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will undergo a detention review on the following day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also requested that the former president be authorized to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
The former president was determined responsible of orchestrating a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to assassinate Lula and his running partner, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the military leaders. Lula was took office without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a week later, on the eighth of January, numerous Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised government buildings in the capital, Brasília.
The police intervened and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the court case a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 presidential election.
