The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The former head of state was found guilty of orchestrating a military coup in September and sentenced more than over two decades in jail, but he continued under confinement pending legal challenges.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.
This encompassed attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a demonstration that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a document approving the detention, Justice Moraes said information from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the tracking monitor to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His son, Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a assembly of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on social media on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the gathering would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the magistrate's decision was the possibility of the former president's transfer to embassies near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a history of arranging to ask for protection through a consular facility", a statement said.
The legal document emphasizes that the US embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is situated around 8 miles from his dwelling.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative US President Donald Trump, causing him to implement a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being detained in a national police facility in Brasilia and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also requested that he be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was convicted of orchestrating a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the national vote to his political opponent, Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which encompassed plans to murder his opponent and his running partner, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the army and air force commanders. The current president was took office without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, thousands of his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement stepped in and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.
The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the time, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 presidential election.
