Bolsonaro's Ankle Monitor Damaged with Soldering Iron Before Arrest
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has once again made headlines, this time for allegedly damaging his electronic ankle monitor using a soldering iron just hours prior to his recent arrest. Footage released by Brazil's Supreme Court shows the former president admitting to an officer that he applied "hot iron" to the device, curiously stating it was "out of curiosity."
The Incident Unfolds
The video clearly depicts visible scorching on the plastic casing of the monitoring device. Despite the damage, officers confirmed that the core mechanism of the ankle bracelet appeared to remain intact. When pressed for details on the tool used, Bolsonaro clarified, "No, a soldering iron." He was adamant that he had no intention of removing the device.
Arrest and Judicial Concerns
Bolsonaro, aged 70, had been under house arrest since August for previous violations of court orders. His subsequent detention on a Saturday morning was triggered by an alert from the ankle monitor shortly after midnight, prompting immediate suspicions of tampering by investigators.
Judge Alexandre de Moraes swiftly ordered Bolsonaro's preventive detention, citing serious concerns. The judge highlighted a planned night vigil, organized by Bolsonaro’s son Flavio Bolsonaro, as a potential catalyst for public disorder. This gathering, de Moraes suggested, could have created an opportune moment for the former president to flee, possibly to a "friendly embassy" nearby. The court emphasized both a significant flight risk and potential threats to public order as primary justifications for the detention.
Separate Legal Challenges
It is important to distinguish this recent arrest from other severe legal battles Bolsonaro faces. This incident is entirely separate from the more than 27-year sentence he received in September for his alleged involvement in an attempted coup following his defeat in the 2022 election. While that particular verdict is still undergoing appeal and is not yet final, its enforcement had been anticipated to commence as early as the following week. Bolsonaro's latest actions further complicate his already intricate legal standing.