Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after being determined a concrete flight risk while under house arrest.
The former Brazilian president was found guilty of plotting a military coup in September and sentenced to more than 27 years in prison, but he remains under house arrest pending appeals.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the move to detain the 70-year-old was a preventative measure after new facts came to light.
This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a call for a public vigil that could allow for a possible escape.
In a filing authorising the arrest, Justice Moraes said information from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the former president's intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his son.
His son, Flávio, who serves as a senator, called for a gathering of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on Saturday night.
Flávio Bolsonaro wrote on social media on Friday: Are you going to fight for your country, or watch it all from your phone there on your sofa? I invite you to fight with us.
He said the vigil would be to support their father and for the return of democracy in Brazil.
Part of Justice Moraes's decision included potential relocation to embassies near Bolsonaro's residence, citing plans for asylum through diplomatic channels.
Bolsonaro is currently held in a Federal Police station in Brasilia and will undergo a custody hearing on Sunday.
His legal team had sought to serve the full sentence under house arrest, advocating for medical leave due to health issues.
