Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro was photographed for the first time since his preventive arrest, appearing with his wife Michelle Bolsonaro at the Federal Police Superintendency in Brasilia after she visited him on November 23, Folha de S. Paulo reported.

The far-right leader, who is seeking to appeal a 27-year sentence for attempted coup, was placed in preventive detention by Supreme Federal Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes on November 22 after authorities detected an attempt to tamper with his electronic ankle monitor, which Bolsonaro later admitted had occurred.

In the images published by Folha de S. Paulo, Bolsonaro appears close to Federal Police agents and next to the former first lady near the building's exit as he bids her farewell.

Michelle arrived at approximately 3pm and left around 4:54pm, waving to supporters who surrounded her car but declining to speak to the press.

Previously unseen images obtained by O Globo show the extent of damage to the ankle monitor.

The Integrated Electronic Monitoring Centre of the Federal District registered an alert precisely at 12:07am on Saturday indicating a "device breach."

Initially, Bolsonaro told prison guards escorting him that he had bumped the device against a staircase. However, upon receiving the monitoring team, Bolsonaro admitted the real cause.

"I put a hot iron in there," the former president stated. When asked what kind, he replied: "No. A soldering iron. Solder," adding that the act of damaging the equipment had begun "late in the afternoon," as quoted by O Globo.

The device's bracelet was "apparently intact," but the case had been tampered with. A subsequent report from the State Secretariat of Penitentiary Administration indicated the replaced equipment had "clear and significant signs of damage" with "burn marks all around its circumference."

Custody hearing testimony

During a custody hearing lasting between 30 and 40 minutes, Bolsonaro reported having suffered a drug-induced episode that led him to damage the electronic ankle monitor, CNN Brasil reported.

Bolsonaro denied any intention to flee and said that at the time he burnt the ankle monitor and when he was arrested, his daughter Laura, an adviser, and his older brother were at his residence.

Bolsonaro stated the incident occurred around midnight when he began manipulating the equipment with a soldering iron, and that everyone in the house was asleep.

Michelle was reportedly not at home at the time of arrest.

Bolsonaro stated he is using medication to treat anxiety attacks, a recurring cough, and nausea, attributing his behaviour to the effects of these medications, which he has been taking for four days.

During testimony, Bolsonaro mentioned suffering from insomnia and claimed to have had paranoia and hallucinations, believing there were listening devices installed in his electronic ankle monitor.

According to CNN Brasil's investigation, Bolsonaro appeared anxious and dejected after his arrest, remaining standing and walking from one side to the other in the room where he is being held, which has a television, air conditioning, bathroom, and wardrobe.

Decision was "prudent," experts say

Legal experts assess that Moraes' order was a "prudent" decision given the facts presented, BBC News Brasil reported.

"At this moment, house arrest seems very unlikely to me," said Thiago Bottino, professor at FGV Direito Rio.

Moraes decided to revoke the house arrest that Bolsonaro had been under since early August at the Federal Police's request after a concrete and imminent risk of flight was identified.

This risk was identified after Senator Flavio Bolsonaro called for a "vigil" in support of his father near the former president's residence, and the ankle monitor tampering attempt was detected.

According to Bottino, the three main arguments supporting Moraes' decision are indications of an attempt to break the electronic ankle monitor, the calling for a vigil near the residence, and the escapes of allies abroad.

Moraes cited the departures of federal deputy Alexandre Ramagem, who left Brazil in September and has not returned; Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, who travelled to the US during Carnival and did not return; and licensed congresswoman Carla Zambelli, who fled to Italy after being sentenced.

"Given these new facts, and also the imminence of the final judgement, a scenario has been created in which house arrest might not be enough to prevent an escape," said Bottino, adding he sees "prudence" in Moraes' decision.

Criminal lawyer Mauricio Dieter, a professor at the University of Sao Paulo Law School, agreed with the assessment. "Ramagem showed that ordinary precautions to prevent the risk of escape were not enough."

Vigil as flight risk factor

Moraes pointed out in the arrest warrant that the call for a vigil by Flavio Bolsonaro could generate crowds capable of hindering police oversight and the enforcement of court decisions. The decision detailed the video posted by Flavio Bolsonaro on social media calling on supporters to go to the vicinity of the former president's residence.

"Are you going to fight for your country or watch everything from your mobile phone on the sofa at home? I invite you to fight with us," Flavio said, according to the document.

According to Dieter, the Brazilian justice system understood that the surveillance could create "a distraction that would facilitate escape," and combined with the ankle monitor tampering attempt, this hypothesis would become even stronger.

Moraes' decision will still be submitted to the First Panel of the Supreme Court for review in an extraordinary virtual session scheduled for November 24.