Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro was taken into custody on Saturday after the Supreme Court determined he posed a significant flight risk. Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest while appealing a 27-year prison sentence for his role in a foiled coup attempt, allegedly tried to disable his ankle monitor to escape. The court revealed that Bolsonaro used a soldering iron on the device, which he claimed was out of “curiosity.” Despite the damage, the monitor remained functional. Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered the detention as a preventive measure, citing concerns over a planned vigil organized by Bolsonaro’s son, Flavio, which could create chaos and facilitate an escape. Bolsonaro, who governed Brazil from 2019 to 2022, has been confined to an upscale condominium in Brasilia since August. Moraes also highlighted the proximity of Bolsonaro’s residence to the US embassy, raising fears he might seek asylum. Bolsonaro, a former army captain and ally of ex-US President Donald Trump, has faced widespread criticism for his handling of the Amazon deforestation and the COVID-19 pandemic. His conviction in September accused him of leading a criminal organization to maintain authoritarian power. The case has left Brazil’s conservative electorate without a clear leader ahead of the 2026 presidential elections, where leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva plans to run for a fourth term. Bolsonaro’s legal team has vowed to appeal the detention, citing his alleged frail health due to a 2018 stabbing incident. Meanwhile, reactions to his imprisonment have been polarized, with supporters decrying it as political persecution and opponents celebrating his downfall.