The former Brazilian leader has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The one-time leader was found guilty of planning a armed takeover in the ninth month and given more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under house arrest pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official the presiding justice said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.
This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a potential flight.
Court Filing Details Escape Concerns
In a document approving the arrest, the judge said intelligence from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the confusion caused by the protest called by his son.
His child, Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a assembly of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's ruling was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a record of arranging to ask for protection through a embassy office", a declaration said.
The court filing emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist United States President Trump, leading him to enact a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being kept in a Federal Police station in the capital and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that Bolsonaro be allowed to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was convicted of heading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the national vote to his political opponent, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to kill the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The scheme was thwarted because it didn't receive the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. The current president was took office without problem on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of his followers attacked and damaged government buildings in the capital, the capital city.
The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The judges found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the end of his sentence.
The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.