Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities determined he posed a concrete flight risk while under home confinement.
The one-time leader was convicted of orchestrating a armed takeover in the ninth month and handed more than 27 years in prison, but he continued under home detention pending appeals.
Top Judicial Official Justice Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a precautionary step after recent developments emerged.
This involved trying to remove his ankle monitor and a invitation to a public vigil that could enable a possible escape.
Court Filing Details Escape Risks
In a filing authorising the custody, Justice Moraes said intelligence from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the former leader's plan to remove the tracking monitor to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the demonstration called by his child.
His son, Flávio, who holds office as a senator, called for a gathering of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
The senator wrote on digital networks on the previous day: Do you plan to struggle for your homeland, or see it all from your phone there on your settee? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so backers could "pray for his health and for the return of democracy in our land."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's decision was the possibility of Bolsonaro's transfer to diplomatic missions near the dwelling, considering that the inquiries revealed a background of organizing to ask for protection through a consular facility", a statement said.
The judicial paperwork underscores that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, Brasilia, is located around 8 miles from his dwelling.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative United States President President Trump, causing him to impose a half-rate duty on Brazilian product imports.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brazil's capital city and will experience a detention review on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to authorize him to complete his entire prison term under house arrest, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he required regular treatment for lung conditions and other health problems.
Details of Guilty Verdict
Bolsonaro was convicted of orchestrating a plot aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
High Court judges said that he knew of a plan which included plans to assassinate the current president and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing Bolsonaro's trial.
The conspiracy was thwarted because it failed to get the backing of the armed forces officials. His successor was took office without incident on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, many his followers stormed and vandalised government buildings in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The law enforcement stepped in and around 1,500 people were arrested.
The magistrates found that the rioters had been incited by him whose plan, they said, was for the Brazilian military to intervene, restore order and return him to office.
At the time, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from campaigning for office until twenty-sixty - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the trial a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him competing in the next presidential race.
