A former president’s reckless decision to tamper with his court-ordered ankle monitor using a soldering iron has exposed the lengths political elites will go to evade accountability.
Story Snapshot
- Jair Bolsonaro detained after using soldering iron to damage ankle monitor, ending house arrest
- Former Brazilian president sentenced to 27 years for orchestrating coup attempt after 2022 election loss
- Authorities cited tampering as evidence of escape plot, particularly with supporters mobilizing nearby
- Supreme Court panel reviewing arrest order as political tensions escalate across Brazil
Conviction and Monitoring Orders
Jair Bolsonaro received a 27-year prison sentence in September 2025 for his role in orchestrating a coup plot following his 2022 election defeat to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The conviction stemmed from investigations into the January 8, 2023 storming of government buildings in Brasília by his supporters. Brazilian authorities ordered electronic monitoring in July 2025 after deeming the former president a flight risk, followed by house arrest in early August.
The Tampering Incident
On November 22, 2025, at 12:08 a.m., monitoring systems detected tampering with Bolsonaro’s ankle device. Federal police arrived at 6 a.m. to execute the arrest order issued by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Bolsonaro admitted to using a soldering iron on the electronic monitor, though he claimed the action was driven by “curiosity” and “paranoia” rather than escape intentions.
Watch:
Flight Risk Assessment
Justice de Moraes cited significant concerns about Bolsonaro seeking asylum at a nearby embassy, particularly given the timing of supporter rallies organized by his son Flávio Bolsonaro. The court viewed the tampering as clear evidence of potential escape plans, especially considering previous instances of Brazilian political figures attempting to evade justice through embassy asylum. Device data and video evidence contradicted the defense team’s disputed timeline of events.
How a Sabotaged Ankle Monitor Ended Bolsonaro’s House Arrest | The Seattle Times https://t.co/oPgRTfz8hI
— Stacy Banta (@copyrecenttext) November 24, 2025
Political Mobilization and Unrest
Supporters and critics gathered outside federal police headquarters following Bolsonaro’s detention, with law enforcement maintaining separation between opposing factions. The arrest occurred just days before Bolsonaro was scheduled to begin serving his 27-year sentence. His legal team continues to frame the prosecution as political persecution, while critics argue the accountability measures are essential for preserving Brazil’s democratic institutions against future coup attempts.
Precedent for Democratic Accountability
The case establishes unprecedented enforcement of electronic monitoring for former heads of state convicted of anti-democratic activities. Legal experts emphasize the importance of upholding court orders and rule of law, especially when dealing with threats to constitutional governance. A Supreme Court panel is scheduled to review the arrest order in an extraordinary session, while Bolsonaro remains in federal police custody with his house arrest officially terminated.
Sources:
Coup case twist: Ex-Brazil President Bolsonaro detained over plot to flee before sentence, ankle monitor breach triggered arrest
Ex-Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro tried to open ankle monitor with soldering iron in ‘escape attempt’, court documents allege
2022–2023 Brazilian coup plot
