Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.
The former head of state was found guilty of plotting a military coup in September and given more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he was staying under house arrest pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the action to imprison the septuagenarian politician was a precautionary step after fresh information came to light.
This included seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a call for a supporters' gathering that could enable a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns
In a filing authorising the custody, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his offspring.
His child, Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a meeting of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.
The senator wrote on online platforms on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your settee? I call on you to struggle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the magistrate's determination was the potential of his "relocation to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of planning to request asylum through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The judicial paperwork highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, the capital city, is positioned around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
Global Responses
His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist US President President Trump, causing him to enact a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
Bolsonaro is being held in a national police facility in Brasilia and will have a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.
They also requested that he be authorized to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Context of Sentencing
The former president was determined responsible of heading a scheme aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the national vote to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plot which encompassed plans to kill Lula and his running partner, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The scheme was stopped because it failed to get the support of the military leaders. His successor was sworn in without issue on the first day of 2023.
But a week later, on 8 January, thousands of his followers stormed and vandalised official structures in the capital, the capital city.
The law enforcement took action and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The judges found that the demonstrators 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 time, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until twenty-sixty - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the 2026 national vote.
