November 23, 2025 | 01:50 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was detained on Saturday, November 22, 2025, after the Supreme Court ruled that he had attempted to deactivate his ankle monitor. Bolsonaro was considered a flight risk.
Reported by Al Jazeera, Bolsonaro has been under house arrest since he appealed his conviction for attempting a coup to prevent President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva from taking office after the 2022 elections. He was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison for leading a criminal organization and planning the murders of Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
He is still in the process of appealing. The court has not issued a final arrest warrant in the case.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said Bolsonaro's detention was a precautionary measure after he tried to burn and damage his ankle monitor using a soldering iron. Bolsonaro admitted in a video released by the court that he used the tool out of curiosity, with footage showing the tool charred but still attached to his ankle.
Moraes stated that the incident occurred early Saturday as part of a plan to "ensure the success of his escape." His actions were likely to have seriously compromised his house arrest and other preventive measures, potentially allowing Bolsonaro to flee.
Jair Bolsonaro's son, Flavio, who called for the rally, has urged Bolsonaro's supporters to come and fight for their country.
The proximity of Jair Bolsonaro's location to the US embassy has also raised concerns that he may be seeking political asylum.
Bolsonaro's lawyer stated that the detention of his client caused confusion. He promised to appeal, arguing that prayer meetings are protected by the constitution's freedom of religion.
Bolsonaro was transferred to a federal police complex in Braslia, where he is being held in a small cell equipped with a bed, television, air conditioning, and a mini refrigerator.
Public Reaction and Donald Trump
The detention has deepened political divisions in Brazil. Outside Bolsonaro's heavily guarded residence, dozens of supporters gathered, singing evangelical hymns. Flavio Bolsonaro cried during a live broadcast, warning Justice Moraes, "If anything happens to my father... it's on you."
According to France 24, at the same time, a group of women celebrated his imprisonment by opening a bottle of soda with wine. Ana Denise Sousa, a high school philosophy teacher, stated that she was "very happy." She referred to the former president as the biggest scoundrel who attempted a coup.
Bolsonaro's supporters have denounced the arrest as political persecution.
International reactions have also emerged. US President Donald Trump said he was unaware of the arrest but called it very unfortunate. Meanwhile, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described Moraes's action as an attack on the rule of law.
Bolsonaro's health and his history of a stabbing incident in 2018 were cited by his defense team as reasons why he should remain in house arrest rather than be imprisoned.
DITYA RASYADIPUTRA
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