Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities determined he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was found guilty of planning a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than 27 years in prison, but he remained under house arrest pending legal challenges.
High Court Judge Justice Moraes said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.
This involved trying to remove his tracking device and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a potential flight.
Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears
In a document approving the arrest, the judge said information from the unit overseeing the former president's confinement suggested the ex-president's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the gathering called by his child.
His son, Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a gathering of his followers near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? I urge you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could "pray for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our nation."
Foreign Shelter Risks
Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of the former president's "relocation to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of organizing to ask for protection through a embassy office", a announcement said.
The legal document underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the capital, the capital city, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from his dwelling.
Global Responses
His judicial problems have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist United States President Donald Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.
He is being held in a national police facility in the capital and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under home confinement, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to leave his home for medical care, saying he required ongoing care for lung conditions and other health problems.
Details of Guilty Verdict
He was determined responsible of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the 2022 election to his ideological adversary, President Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a scheme which involved plans to murder his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. The current president was inaugurated without problem on the first day of 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of his backers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the capital, Brasília.
The law enforcement intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.
The magistrates found that the protesters had been provoked by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the country's army to step in, reestablish control and return him to office.
At the moment, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until 2060 - a decade minus two years after the conclusion of his imprisonment.
The one-time head of state called the trial a "witch hunt and said it was intended to stop him competing in the 2026 presidential election.
