Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is currently in pre-trial detention in Brasília after admitting to authorities he attempted to tamper with his electronic ankle monitor using a soldering iron, claiming he acted “out of curiosity.”
Bolsonaro was detained early Saturday morning following his admission to authorities. He is being held in preventive custody in the capital.
The former president acknowledged attempting to violate the tracking device with a “hot iron” or “soldering iron,” according to reports from Brazilian press.
A video circulated by media outlets shows Bolsonaro confirming his attempt to interfere with the monitor. He maintained, however, that he did not manage to break the device.
OUÇA momento em que Bolsonaro admite que tentou violar tornozeleira eletrônica com ‘ferro quente’ https://t.co/jmOcJlfBYa #g1 pic.twitter.com/8uZubWLVCb
— g1 (@g1) November 22, 2025