The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.
The former head of state was found guilty of plotting a military coup in September and sentenced more than over two decades in jail, but he continued under home detention pending court reviews.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.
This encompassed seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a public vigil that could enable a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his child.
His son, Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or see it all from your phone there on your couch? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's ruling was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a record of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The court filing emphasizes that the US embassy in the capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative US President Trump, leading him to impose a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that he be permitted to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
He was convicted of leading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his left-wing rival, Lula.
High Court judges said that he had knowledge of a plot which encompassed plans to assassinate Lula and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over the former president's case.
The scheme was stopped because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. The current president was took office without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, numerous his backers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The security forces took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been provoked by him whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to step in, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the time, the legal team called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 presidential election.
