In a dramatic custody hearing, Jair Bolsonaro admitted to the vandalism of his electronic ankle monitor, but claimed it was the result of a drug-induced “psychotic attack.” He testified that the episode caused him to hallucinate that the device, which he is required to wear under house arrest, was secretly recording him.
The admission followed his arrest by federal police, who suspected the interference with the monitor was a prelude to an escape to a foreign embassy to evade his 27-year prison sentence for a failed coup. The former president, however, vehemently denied any intention to flee the country.
Skepticism from political analysts is intense, given that his current defense is a complete overhaul of his earlier claim that he acted merely “out of curiosity.” The use of the soldering iron on the device was a key admission in his testimony.