Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.
The ex-president was sentenced of planning a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than 27 years in jail, but he continued under home detention pending legal challenges.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after recent developments emerged.
This included attempting to break his tracking device and a summons to a public vigil that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Escape Risks
In a filing authorising the custody, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the tracking monitor to secure accomplishment in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his offspring.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his backers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on online platforms on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or see it all from your phone there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could "pray for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the magistrate's determination was the chance of his move to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of arranging to ask for protection through a embassy office", a announcement said.
The judicial paperwork highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative American leader Trump, prompting him to implement a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
He is being detained in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will have a imprisonment assessment on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with tracking devices.
They also asked that he be allowed to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he demanded regular treatment for lung conditions and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
He was convicted of leading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which encompassed plans to kill Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the top judicial official who has been managing the former president's case.
The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the support of the armed forces officials. The current president was inaugurated without problem on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on the eighth of January, numerous his followers attacked and damaged official structures in the federal district, the capital city.
The law enforcement intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The judges found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, reestablish control and return him to office.
At the period, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until twenty-sixty - eight years after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the 2026 national vote.
