The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was convicted of planning a military coup in last fall and given more than over two decades in incarceration, but he remained under home detention pending legal challenges.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" were revealed.
This included seeking to disable his tracking device and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could enable a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Escape Risks
In a document approving the arrest, the judge said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the protest called by his offspring.
His child, his son Flávio, who works as a legislator, called for a gathering of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on social media on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or observe everything from your mobile device there on your couch? I call on you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the magistrate's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The court filing emphasizes that the US embassy in the capital, Brasilia, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative United States President Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will experience a custody hearing on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also requested that he be permitted to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he demanded ongoing care for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was determined responsible of heading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.
High Court judges said that he knew of a plan which involved plans to murder Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it failed to get the support of the army and air force commanders. His successor was took office without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, numerous his backers attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement took action and around 1,500 people were detained.
The justices found that the protesters had been incited by him whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, reestablish control and return him to office.
At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from running for public office until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the next presidential race.
