Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was convicted of orchestrating a armed takeover in last fall and given more than 27 years in prison, but he remained under home detention pending legal challenges.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.
This encompassed trying to remove his tracking device and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a potential flight.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a document approving the arrest, the judge said data from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the protest called by his son.
His offspring, Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a assembly of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on digital networks on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I invite you to struggle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could seek divine intervention for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of his move to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a background of planning to ask for protection through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The court filing highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, the capital city, is positioned around 8 miles from the former president's residence.
Worldwide Consequences
The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow right-wing populist US President Trump, causing him to implement a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be permitted to leave his home for medical care, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
The former president was convicted of leading a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the national vote to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he knew of a scheme which encompassed plans to murder the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was stopped because it didn't receive the backing of the army and air force commanders. His successor was sworn in without problem on the first day of 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, thousands of his backers attacked and damaged public facilities in the national capital, Brazil's capital.
The police intervened and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been incited by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to intervene, restore order and return him to office.
At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from campaigning for office until twenty-sixty - 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 2026 presidential election.
