The former Brazilian leader has been detained after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.
The ex-president was sentenced of planning a military coup in September and handed more than over two decades in incarceration, but he remained under home detention pending court reviews.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.
This involved seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a call for a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Escape Risks
In a document approving the detention, the judge said information from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's aim to disable the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the protest called by his offspring.
His son, Flávio, who holds office as a legislator, called for a gathering of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on online platforms on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your settee? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the judge's determination was the chance of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a announcement said.
The legal document highlights that the US embassy in the national capital, the capital city, is positioned around 13km from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, causing him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being kept in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will undergo a detention review on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under domestic detention, with tracking devices.
They also asked that he be authorized to leave his home for healthcare, saying he needed ongoing care for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Details of Guilty Verdict
Bolsonaro was found guilty of orchestrating a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a scheme which included plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was prevented because it didn't receive the support of the army and air force commanders. Lula was took office without incident on the first day of 2023.
But a week later, on the eighth of January, numerous his followers invaded and destroyed public facilities in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement intervened and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The justices found that the demonstrators had been incited by the former president whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also prohibited from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The ex-leader called the court case a political persecution and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 presidential election.
