Mon Nov 24 17:08:32 UTC 2025: ## Brazilian Supreme Court Upholds Jair Bolsonaro’s Detention After Ankle Monitor Incident

Brasilia, Brazil – A panel of the Brazilian Supreme Court has unanimously voted to keep former President Jair Bolsonaro in police custody after he admitted to tampering with his electronic ankle monitor. The decision, made by four justices on Monday, follows Bolsonaro’s arrest on Saturday and intensifies his ongoing legal battles.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a key figure in the case, accused Bolsonaro of repeatedly violating court orders and deemed him a flight risk. “There is no doubt, therefore, about the need to convert house arrest into pre-trial detention,” de Moraes stated, citing the need to maintain public order and prevent further disregard for judicial measures.

Justice Flavio Dino echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the breach of electronic monitoring “not only increases the risk of escape but also indicates a blatant violation of the precautionary measures imposed by the Judiciary.”

Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence after being found guilty in September of attempting to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election. Charges included attempting a coup, participating in a criminal organization, and seeking to abolish the democratic rule of law.

Bolsonaro claimed that a change in medication led to “hallucinations” and “paranoia,” causing him to believe his ankle monitor contained a wiretap and damaging it with a soldering tool.

Evidence suggests Bolsonaro had previously considered fleeing the country. Police seized a letter addressed to Argentinian President Javier Milei, requesting asylum and claiming political persecution. Furthermore, Bolsonaro’s stay at the Hungarian embassy in Brasilia earlier this year raised suspicions of seeking diplomatic sanctuary.

The decision has drawn international attention, with former U.S. President Donald Trump, a close ally of Bolsonaro, denouncing the case as a “witch hunt.”

Bolsonaro remains in a federal police facility in Brasilia. His defense team had previously sought to have his sentence served under house arrest, citing health concerns. The court has denied these requests, further tightening the legal noose around the former president.

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