Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.
The former head of state was convicted of plotting a armed takeover in September and handed more than over two decades in jail, but he remained under confinement pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Justice Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" emerged.
This included seeking to disable his ankle monitor and a invitation to a public vigil that could enable a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns
In a document approving the custody, Justice Moraes said intelligence 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 getaway".
This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the demonstration called by his child.
His child, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a legislator, called for a assembly of his followers near his father's house to take place on the weekend.
His son wrote on social media on last Friday: Will you battle for your country, or observe everything from your phone there on your sofa? I call on you to struggle with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could seek divine intervention for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the magistrate's determination was the possibility of Bolsonaro's "relocation to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a record of arranging to request asylum through a consular facility", a statement said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the United States embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is positioned around 8 miles from his dwelling.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have generated frustration from fellow populist conservative US President Donald Trump, prompting him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in the capital and will have a imprisonment assessment on the next day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the High Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also asked that he be allowed to exit his dwelling for healthcare, saying he required ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
He was found guilty of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Supreme Court justices said that he had knowledge of a plot which involved plans to murder Lula and his VP candidate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial.
The scheme was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the armed forces officials. His successor was inaugurated without problem on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, many his followers attacked and damaged public facilities in the capital, Brasília.
The police intervened and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The magistrates found that the demonstrators had been encouraged by him whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence unreasonably severe".
He was also banned from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.
The one-time head of state called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him participating in the next presidential race.
