Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was found guilty of orchestrating a government overthrow in the ninth month and handed more than over two decades in jail, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.
High Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.
This involved trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Court Filing Details Escape Risks
In a paperwork permitting the arrest, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the protest called by his child.
His child, his son Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a gathering of his followers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or watch it all from your phone there on your settee? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so backers could "pray for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of the former president's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of arranging to ask for protection through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The legal document highlights that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 8 miles from his dwelling.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist American leader Trump, causing him to impose a fifty percent tax on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being held in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will experience a detention review on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the High Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.
They also asked that the former president be authorized to leave his home for medical care, saying he needed regular treatment for lung conditions and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
He was determined responsible of heading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he failed to win the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which encompassed plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Justice Moraes - the top judicial official who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The conspiracy was prevented because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. His successor was inaugurated without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged public facilities in the federal district, Brasília.
The security forces stepped in and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.
The former president called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him running in the next presidential race.
