Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.
The former head of state was found guilty of planning a military coup in September and given more than over two decades in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after fresh information emerged.
This included attempting to break his electronic bracelet and a summons to a public vigil that could enable a potential flight.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a document approving the arrest, Justice Moraes said information from the facility tracking Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the tracking monitor to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the chaos caused by the protest called by his son.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who works as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his backers near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on social media on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your country, or watch it all from your mobile device there on your couch? I call on you to struggle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the restoration of democratic rule in our nation."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's ruling was the chance of Bolsonaro's move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the probes revealed a background of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a statement said.
The court filing emphasizes that the US embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is positioned around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.
Global Responses
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative United States President Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian product imports.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a Federal Police station in Brazil's capital city and will experience a custody hearing on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the his legal team asked the High Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with tracking devices.
They also requested that Bolsonaro be allowed to depart his residence for medical care, saying he demanded regular treatment for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the national vote to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to murder Lula and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to arrest and execute the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing the former president's case.
The plot was thwarted because it didn't receive the endorsement of the military leaders. Lula was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a following week, on 8 January, numerous his followers invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, the capital city.
The police stepped in and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.
The judges found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, restore order and return him to office.
At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the trial a targeted investigation" and said it was designed to prevent him participating in the next presidential race.
