Bolsonaro has been detained after authorities found he posed a serious risk of fleeing while under home confinement.
The ex-president was convicted of plotting a government overthrow in September and given more than a 27-year term in prison, but he was staying under house arrest pending legal challenges.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after recent developments came to light.
This involved seeking to disable his tracking device and a call for a demonstration that could "allow for a possible escape.
Court Filing Details Flight Fears
In a filing authorising the detention, Justice Moraes said information from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's plan to remove the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his getaway".
This, it said, would be assisted by the chaos caused by the gathering called by his offspring.
His child, Flávio, who works as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.
His son wrote on social media on last Friday: Do you plan to struggle for your nation, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your couch? I invite you to battle with us."
He said the demonstration would be so followers could "pray for his health and for the return of democracy in our country."
Diplomatic Refuge Fears
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the potential of his "relocation to foreign missions near the residence, considering that the investigations revealed a history of planning to ask for protection through a consular facility", a announcement said.
The court filing highlights that the United States embassy in the federal district, the capital city, is positioned around 13km from his dwelling.
Global Responses
The former president's legal troubles have provoked anger from fellow populist conservative US President Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil.
The former president is being kept in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will experience a custody hearing on the following day.
Recent Judicial Appeals
It was only on the previous day that the his legal team asked the Supreme Court to permit him to serve his whole jail sentence under house arrest, with tracking devices.
They also asked that he be allowed to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other illnesses.
Background on Conviction
He was convicted of leading a scheme aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his left-wing rival, Lula.
High Court judges said that he was aware of a plan which encompassed plans to kill Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been managing his judicial proceedings.
The scheme was prevented because it failed to get the support of the military leaders. The current president was took office without issue on January 1st, 2023.
But a seven days after, on January 8th, many Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged official structures in the federal district, the capital city.
The police intervened and around approximately 1,500 persons were detained.
The justices found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose scheme, they said, was for the national armed forces to step in, reestablish control and return him to office.
At the time, the legal team called the over 27-year sentence "absurdly excessive.
He was also prohibited from running for public office until twenty-sixty - eight years after the end of his sentence.
The former president called the legal proceedings a political persecution and said it was designed to prevent him competing in the next presidential race.
