Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was sentenced of plotting a military coup in September and given more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under house arrest pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" were revealed.
This encompassed attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a public vigil that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Escape Concerns
In a filing authorising the detention, the judge said intelligence from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his child.
His child, his son Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a gathering of his backers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on social media on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or observe everything from your phone there on your settee? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the magistrate's determination was the chance of the former president's transfer to foreign missions near the home, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The court filing underscores that the US embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist United States President Donald Trump, causing him to impose a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.
The former president is being detained in a national police facility in Brasilia and will experience a detention review on the following day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be permitted to leave his home for medical treatment, saying he demanded regular treatment for lung conditions and other health problems.
Context of Sentencing
He was convicted of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a plot which included plans to kill his opponent and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it didn't receive the endorsement of the military leaders. The current president was inaugurated without incident on 1 January 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged public facilities in the federal district, Brasília.
The law enforcement intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been incited by him whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.
At the time, the legal team called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the next presidential race.
