Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.
The former head of state was sentenced of orchestrating a government overthrow in September and handed more than a 27-year term in prison, but he continued under confinement pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the action to imprison the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" were revealed.
This encompassed trying to remove his ankle monitor and a call for a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a paperwork permitting the arrest, the judge said data from the centre monitoring the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his flight.
This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the gathering called by his son.
His child, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your country, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the gathering would be so backers could offer prayers for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of Justice Moraes's determination was the possibility of his "relocation to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a history of arranging to ask for protection through a embassy office", a declaration said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, Brazil's capital, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
Worldwide Consequences
Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative American leader Trump, prompting him to impose a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.
The former president is being held in a Federal Police station in the capital and will have a detention review on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with electronic monitoring.
They also petitioned that the former president be authorized to leave his home for medical care, saying he required regular treatment for lung conditions and other health problems.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was found guilty of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to kill Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was stopped because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. The current president was took office without problem on January 1st, 2023.
But a week later, on 8 January, thousands of his backers stormed and vandalised official structures in the capital, the capital city.
The security forces stepped in and around 1,500 people were detained.
The justices found that the rioters had been incited by him whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, his attorneys called the decades-long sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also barred from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The former president called the court case a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 national vote.
