On November 22, 2025, Alexandre de Moraes orders the preventive arrest of Jair Bolsonaro, citing risk of escape to the US embassy and malfunctions in the electronic ankle bracelet
The decision mentions that Bolsonaro could flee by taking advantage of a vigil called by senator Flávio Bolsonaro in front of the condominium where the former president was under house arrest
The order indicates an alert from the ankle bracelet in the early hours of the morning, indicating a possible attempt to open and temporary loss of signal, considered serious by the PF
According to technical reports, the device showed signs of overheating and cracks, raising suspicion of deliberate manipulation
The PF attached records to the investigation indicating that the equipment alert occurred at 00:07, followed by repeated instability in monitoring
Approached by an agent, Bolsonaro claimed to have used a hot iron on his ankle bracelet out of ‘curiosity’. After being arrested, in a hearing, he mentioned that he used medication and mentioned a state of ‘paranoia’
For Moraes, the act would indicate a concrete risk of escape, as it occurred after a mobilization called by allies, seen as a possible pretext to leave house arrest
The preventive detention was carried out in Brasília, with Bolsonaro taken to a special room at the PF superintendence in the Federal District, with a minibar, air conditioning, TV and bathroom
The defense reacted, criticizing the decision and stating that it would request an immediate review of the measure. Lawyers argued the absence of facts that justify the extreme measure
Political allies accused the STF of persecution and abuse. The left, in turn, stated that the arrest preserves the integrity of the case against Bolsonaro, convicted of the coup plot
According to the Federal Police and Moraes, Bolsonaro was moving to avoid serving his sentence of 27 years and 3 months in prison for an attempted coup d’état, which was approaching.
On 11/23, the second day in prison, Bolsonaro continued his routine in prison, receiving visits from doctors, lawyers and former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro
The medical team cited ‘mental confusion and hallucinations’ to describe the episode in which the former president tried to change his ankle bracelet and stopped the medication he was taking.
Access to lawyers occurs during restricted periods; visits are authorized on a limited basis, while the defense requests a return to house arrest
The case provoked new political shocks, with criticism from Bolsonaro supporters of the role of the STF, movements in a Congress divided over an amnesty project and developments regarding the court cases
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