Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.
The one-time leader was sentenced of plotting a government overthrow in last fall and given more than 27 years in jail, but he was staying under house arrest pending court reviews.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a precautionary step after "new facts" came to light.
This included trying to remove his ankle monitor and a invitation to a public vigil that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said data from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.
This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his offspring.
His child, Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a meeting of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on social media on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or see it all from your phone there on your settee? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could "pray for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our nation."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of the former president's move to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of arranging to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.
The judicial paperwork emphasizes that the US embassy in the national capital, Brasilia, is situated around 8 miles from Bolsonaro's home.
Global Responses
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist US President President Trump, prompting him to impose a fifty percent tax on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will experience a custody hearing on the next day.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on the previous day that the former president's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to allow him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be permitted to depart his residence for healthcare, saying he required frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
He was convicted of heading a scheme aimed at maintaining his control after he lost the national vote to his political opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which encompassed plans to kill Lula and his VP candidate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the High Court judge who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was thwarted because it failed to get the backing of the army and air force commanders. His successor was sworn in without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, many his followers invaded and destroyed government buildings in the federal district, Brasília.
The police stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The justices found that the protesters had been provoked by the former president whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to take action, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.
At the moment, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The ex-leader called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him participating in the next presidential race.
