Jair Bolsonaro admitted in a custody hearing that he was responsible for the technical interference detected on his electronic ankle monitor. His highly unusual defense: a drug-induced “psychotic attack” caused by a mix of prescription drugs led him to believe the device was a secret listening apparatus.
The tampering prompted federal police to arrest the former president on suspicion of planning to escape to a foreign embassy to avoid his 27-year prison sentence for a failed coup. Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest, denied the escape allegations.
Political analysts are highly doubtful of his bizarre testimony, noting the conflict with his previous, simpler claim of acting “out of curiosity.” The sudden shift in narrative raises significant legal and ethical questions.