Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.
The ex-president was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in September and handed more than a 27-year term in jail, but he remained under confinement pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the decision to arrest the septuagenarian politician was a safety action after "new facts" came to light.
This encompassed attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a demonstration that could enable a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the arrest, the judge said data from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the tracking monitor to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His child, Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a gathering of his followers near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on digital networks on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or see it all from your mobile device there on your sofa? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the gathering would be so backers could "pray for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the magistrate's decision was the possibility of the former president's move to diplomatic missions near the home, considering that the investigations revealed a background of organizing to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a statement said.
The legal document underscores that the US embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is positioned around 13km from Bolsonaro's home.
International Reactions
His judicial problems have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist American leader Donald Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being held in a national police facility in Brasilia and will have a custody hearing on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Top Court to authorize him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also requested that the former president be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he required regular treatment for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was determined responsible of heading a plot aimed at maintaining his control after he failed to win the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to kill his opponent and his running partner, Geraldo Alckmin, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the top judicial official who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the support of the military leaders. The current president was took office without problem on 1 January 2023.
But a week later, on the eighth of January, many his followers invaded and destroyed official structures in the capital, Brasília.
The police stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been incited by him whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 presidential election.
