The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.
The former head of state was convicted of plotting a government overthrow in last fall and given more than over two decades in jail, but he was staying under confinement pending court reviews.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after recent developments came to light.
This encompassed seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the magistrate said intelligence from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the surveillance device to ensure success in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his offspring.
His child, his son Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his followers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Will you battle for your nation, or watch it all from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so backers could "pray for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's decision was the chance of his move to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the probes revealed a background of planning to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The legal document underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative US President Donald Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being detained in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be allowed to depart his residence for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was convicted of heading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The plot was prevented because it didn't receive the backing of the army and air force commanders. Lula was inaugurated without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, many his backers stormed and vandalised public facilities in the national capital, the capital city.
The police intervened and around 1,500 people were detained.
The justices found that the demonstrators had been incited by him whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and reinstate his authority.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The ex-leader called the court case a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him running in the 2026 national vote.
