The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was found guilty of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and given more than over two decades in incarceration, but he remained under confinement pending legal challenges.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the elderly politician was a precautionary step after fresh information came to light.
This included seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could facilitate a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the detention, the judge said information from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the surveillance device to secure accomplishment in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His son, his son Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or see it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our land."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the magistrate's decision was the possibility of his "relocation to embassies near the home, considering that the probes revealed a history of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The judicial paperwork highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.
Worldwide Consequences
His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow populist conservative US President Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
The former president is being detained in a Federal Police station in the capital and will experience a detention review on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was determined responsible of orchestrating a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which encompassed plans to murder Lula and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the support of the army and air force commanders. His successor was took office without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, many his followers attacked and damaged public facilities in the federal district, Brasília.
The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been encouraged by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the country's army to take action, reestablish control and bring him back to power.
At the period, his attorneys called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years later after the end of his sentence.
The ex-leader called the court case a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him running in the 2026 national vote.
