The soldering iron, which () says it has, is a tool used to melt metals that can be purchased online for less than R$30.
It is commonly used by locksmiths, electricians and other professionals. It has different sizes and powers, but the version found on internet sales sites basically consists of a metal tip that comes out of a plastic handle connected to a socket. Not counting the size of the wire, the length can be less than 25 cm.
The attempted violation of the ankle bracelet was one of the points mentioned by Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the STF (Supreme Federal Court), when ordering the former president’s preventive detention.
This Saturday afternoon (22), the magistrate ordered Bolsonaro’s defense to clarify why he tried to damage the equipment.
In a video, an employee of the Federal District’s penitentiary administration asks Bolsonaro what time he started trying to violate the ankle bracelet. The former president responds that this would have happened late in the afternoon.
When asked about what had happened, Bolsonaro said: “I put a hot iron in there… curiosity.” When asked: “What iron was it? Iron?”, he replies: “Soldering iron, soldering”.
According to the Maker Hero website, “composed of a metal tip heated by an internal resistance, the soldering iron reaches high temperatures, making it ideal for electronics work, repairs and circuit assembly. It is an essential tool in electronics, crafts and various types of technical maintenance.”
The report from the Penitentiary Administration Secretariat of the Federal District. says that the alert about the violation of Bolsonaro’s ankle bracelet happened at 0:07 am this Saturday and that the agency’s team immediately went to the scene.
“The criminal police made immediate contact with the defendant asking him to present himself to check the equipment”, says the text.
Based on this report, Moraes said that there was a confession from Bolsonaro himself about the violation of the
equipment, and ordered the defense to respond within 24 hours on the issue.
In addition to the ankle bracelet, the minister cited in his decision and one called by the senator (PL-RJ), eldest son of the former president.
In a note, those that the arrest was based on the holding of a “prayer vigil”, guaranteed by the Constitution, and that Moraes’ determination caused “deep perplexity”. Lawyers Celso Vilardi and Paulo Bueno also state that they will “present the appropriate appeals”.
