Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was convicted of orchestrating a armed takeover in the ninth month and sentenced more than a 27-year term in jail, but he was staying under house arrest pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a safety action after fresh information emerged.
This encompassed trying to remove his ankle monitor and a summons to a public vigil that could facilitate a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a document approving the custody, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the ex-president's "intention to break the surveillance device to ensure success in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the protest called by his son.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a assembly of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our land."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's determination was the potential of the former president's "relocation to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is located around 13km from his dwelling.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist US President Donald Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being held in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will have a custody hearing on the following day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he needed regular treatment for lung conditions and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
The former president was convicted of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he knew of a scheme which included plans to assassinate the current president and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing the former president's case.
The plot was thwarted because it didn't receive the support of the army and air force commanders. Lula was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a week later, on January 8th, many his backers attacked and damaged government buildings in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The police took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been incited by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the 2026 presidential election.
