Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities found he posed a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.
The ex-president was convicted of orchestrating a armed takeover in September and given more than a 27-year term in incarceration, but he remained under house arrest pending court reviews.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the move to detain the septuagenarian politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" came to light.
This involved seeking to disable his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a supporters' gathering that could "allow for a chance to flee".
Judicial Records Show Flight Fears
In a paperwork permitting the detention, the judge said information from the centre monitoring his home detention suggested the former leader's aim to disable the electronic ankle bracelet to guarantee victory in his getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the confusion caused by the protest called by his son.
His son, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his followers near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday evening.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on online platforms on Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or watch it all from your phone there on your sofa? I call on you to fight with us."
He said the gathering would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our land."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of the judge's ruling was the possibility of the former president's "relocation to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the probes revealed a history of planning to seek refuge through a embassy office", a announcement said.
The judicial paperwork highlights that the American diplomatic mission in the federal district, the capital city, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from Bolsonaro's home.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow conservative nationalist United States President President Trump, leading him to implement a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
Bolsonaro is being kept in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will have a custody hearing on Sunday.
Recent Legal Requests
It was only on last Friday that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Top Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with tracking devices.
They also asked that he be authorized to leave his home for healthcare, saying he needed ongoing care for respiratory ailments and other ailments.
Background on Conviction
Bolsonaro was convicted of orchestrating a plot aimed at keeping him in power after he failed to win the national vote to his left-wing rival, President Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he was aware of a plot which encompassed plans to kill his opponent and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was prevented because it didn't receive the support of the military leaders. His successor was took office without issue on 1 January 2023.
But a seven days after, on 8 January, thousands of his backers attacked and damaged official structures in the federal district, Brazil's capital.
The security forces took action and around 1,500 people were taken into custody.
The justices found that the protesters had been encouraged by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the Brazilian military to step in, restore order and bring him back to power.
At the period, his attorneys called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also banned from running for public office until 2060 - eight 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 running in the 2026 national vote.
