The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was found guilty of plotting a military coup in the ninth month and sentenced more than 27 years in incarceration, but he was staying under home detention pending appeals.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.
This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a public vigil that could enable a possible escape.
Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns
In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said data from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's aim to disable the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a meeting of his followers near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on digital networks on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so followers could offer prayers for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's determination was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of planning to ask for protection through a consular facility", a statement said.
The court filing underscores that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative US President Trump, prompting him to implement a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also requested that the former president be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded ongoing care for lung conditions and other health problems.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which encompassed plans to assassinate the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over the former president's case.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. His successor was inaugurated without incident on January 1st, 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised public facilities in the national capital, Brasília.
The law enforcement intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were detained.
The justices found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to take action, bring back stability and return him to office.
At the period, his attorneys called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until twenty-sixty - eight years after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the court case a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the 2026 presidential election.
