The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.
The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he continued under confinement pending legal challenges.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after recent developments emerged.
This encompassed trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a demonstration that could enable a potential flight.
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a paperwork permitting the detention, the magistrate said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his offspring.
His son, his son Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a gathering of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your settee? I invite you to struggle with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of Bolsonaro's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of planning to request asylum through a consular facility", a statement said.
The legal document underscores that the United States embassy in the capital, the capital city, is located around 13km from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, causing him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
The former president is being kept in a national police facility in the capital and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also asked that he be permitted to leave his home for medical care, saying he required regular treatment for respiratory ailments and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
The former president was convicted of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Supreme Court justices said that he knew of a plot which involved plans to kill the current president and his running partner, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The scheme was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the military leaders. Lula was inaugurated without incident on January 1st, 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, thousands of his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, Brasília.
The police took action and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been incited by him whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until twenty-sixty - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.
