Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested after attempting to damage his electronic ankle monitor, claiming he did so out of curiosity. The arrest came after a supreme court judge issued a preventive warrant due to suspicions that Bolsonaro was planning to flee the country to avoid punishment for masterminding a military coup.
In a video released by the supreme court, Bolsonaro is heard admitting to using a soldering iron to tamper with the device on his ankle. The footage shows the device badly damaged and burned on both sides, but still in place. This brazen move has raised questions about the former president's intentions and his willingness to evade justice.
Bolsonaro's arrest was made possible by the fears of the supreme court justice, Alexandre de Moraes, that the vigil planned by Bolsonaro's senator son could be used as a diversion for an escape attempt. The judge had noted how Bolsonaro lived close to the US embassy and had previously sought asylum in Argentina.
As news of his arrest spread, supporters of Bolsonaro were planning to hold a "vigil" outside his luxury condominium, while others celebrated what they saw as a victory over the former president's attempts to evade justice. Bolsonaro's lawyers have vowed to appeal against the decision, claiming it would put their client's life at risk due to his poor health.
The arrest has been welcomed by Lula supporters and progressives, who see it as a major victory in bringing the former president to justice for his role in undermining democracy. As one congresswoman tweeted, "Brazil smiles. A wonderful day."
In a video released by the supreme court, Bolsonaro is heard admitting to using a soldering iron to tamper with the device on his ankle. The footage shows the device badly damaged and burned on both sides, but still in place. This brazen move has raised questions about the former president's intentions and his willingness to evade justice.
Bolsonaro's arrest was made possible by the fears of the supreme court justice, Alexandre de Moraes, that the vigil planned by Bolsonaro's senator son could be used as a diversion for an escape attempt. The judge had noted how Bolsonaro lived close to the US embassy and had previously sought asylum in Argentina.
As news of his arrest spread, supporters of Bolsonaro were planning to hold a "vigil" outside his luxury condominium, while others celebrated what they saw as a victory over the former president's attempts to evade justice. Bolsonaro's lawyers have vowed to appeal against the decision, claiming it would put their client's life at risk due to his poor health.
The arrest has been welcomed by Lula supporters and progressives, who see it as a major victory in bringing the former president to justice for his role in undermining democracy. As one congresswoman tweeted, "Brazil smiles. A wonderful day."