Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities concluded he posed a definite escape threat while under house arrest.
The ex-president was sentenced of planning a military coup in September and given more than 27 years in prison, but he remained under home detention pending court reviews.
Top Judicial Official Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the elderly politician was a preventative measure after fresh information came to light.
This included trying to remove his ankle monitor and a summons to a demonstration that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Legal Document Reveals Escape Concerns
In a document approving the custody, the magistrate said information from the facility tracking his home detention suggested the former leader's "intention to break the surveillance device to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the gathering called by his offspring.
His child, Flávio, who serves as a legislator, called for a assembly of his supporters near the former president's residence to take place on Saturday night.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on digital networks on Friday: Will you battle for your country, or see it all from your phone there on your sofa? I call on you to battle with us."
He said the vigil would be so supporters could offer prayers for his physical condition and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our country."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of the magistrate's decision was the potential of his move to embassies near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a history of arranging to request asylum through a consular facility", a statement said.
The legal document highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is located around 13km from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist American leader Donald Trump, causing him to implement a half-rate duty on imports of Brazilian goods.
Bolsonaro is being detained in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will experience a imprisonment assessment on Sunday.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Top Court to permit him to fulfill his full incarceration period under domestic detention, with digital surveillance.
They also petitioned that he be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical treatment, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other illnesses.
Context of Sentencing
He was convicted of heading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the national vote to his political opponent, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a scheme which encompassed plans to murder his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The plot was thwarted because it couldn't obtain the backing of the military leaders. Lula was inaugurated without issue on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged government buildings in the national capital, Brasília.
The security forces stepped in and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The judges found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, bring back stability and bring him back to power.
At the period, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the decades-long sentence extremely harsh.
He was also banned from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the legal proceedings a targeted investigation" and said it was aimed at blocking him participating in the 2026 presidential election.
