Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under house arrest.
The one-time leader was convicted of plotting a military coup in September and given more than a 27-year term in prison, but he continued under confinement pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a safety action after recent developments came to light.
This involved attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a call for a public vigil that could facilitate a possible escape.
Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns
In a document approving the detention, the magistrate said intelligence from the unit overseeing Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former leader's plan to remove the surveillance device to ensure success in his flight.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his child.
His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a assembly of his supporters near his father's house to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of Bolsonaro's transfer to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of organizing to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The court filing emphasizes that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brasilia, is located around 13km from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist United States President President Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
The former president is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will experience a custody hearing on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he needed regular treatment for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was convicted of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plan which involved plans to kill the current president and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the support of the military leaders. The current president was inaugurated without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, many Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, Brasília.
The police stepped in and around fifteen hundred individuals were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and return him to office.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also barred from campaigning for office until the year 2060 - a decade minus two years after the end of his sentence.
The one-time head of state called the court case a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the next presidential race.
