The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was found guilty of orchestrating a armed takeover in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in jail, but he was staying under home detention pending appeals.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.
This included trying to remove his ankle monitor and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could enable a potential flight.
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the surveillance device to ensure success in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his child.
His child, his son Flávio, who serves as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday evening.
The senator wrote on social media on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your couch? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could "pray for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's ruling was the possibility of the former president's transfer to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of organizing to request asylum through a embassy office", a announcement said.
The court filing highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the national capital, the capital city, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist US President President Trump, causing him to enact a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being held in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a detention review on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be allowed to depart his residence for medical treatment, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the presidential race to his ideological adversary, Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to murder Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the support of the military leaders. Lula was took office without problem on the first day of 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, the capital city.
The security forces intervened and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The justices found that the rioters had been incited by him whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also barred from campaigning for office until twenty-sixty - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 presidential election.
