Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The ex-president was found guilty of plotting a armed takeover in September and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under house arrest pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.
This encompassed seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a call for a public vigil that could enable a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns
In a filing authorising the arrest, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who works as a congressional representative, called for a gathering of his backers near the former president's residence to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I call on you to fight with us."
He said the demonstration would be so supporters could "pray for his health and for the restoration of democratic rule in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's decision was the chance of his move to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a record of planning to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The court filing emphasizes that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist United States President Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
He is being detained in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.
They also asked that the former president be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was found guilty of heading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the presidential race to his political opponent, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to assassinate Lula and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the armed forces officials. The current president was took office without incident on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, many Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised official structures in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement took action and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been provoked by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the moment, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from running for public office until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the trial a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the next presidential race.
