Jair Bolsonaro has attempted to explain why he damaged his electronic ankle monitor, insisting during a custody hearing that he suffered a substance-induced “psychotic episode” that caused him to hallucinate threats.
The former Brazilian leader was arrested at his Brasília home on Saturday after authorities detected tampering with the device used to track his movements. Officials feared he was preparing to flee to an embassy to avoid imprisonment for masterminding a failed coup.
Bolsonaro remains under house arrest pending the enforcement of his 27-year sentence, handed down by the Supreme Court in September. His detention came after a midnight alert that the tracking device had been sabotaged, triggering an emergency judicial order.
During the hearing, Bolsonaro said he had recently begun taking a pain medication and an antidepressant, which he believes triggered paranoia and the illusion that the monitor was bugged. Using a hand tool, he attempted to open the device before abandoning the effort.
Observers questioned the credibility of his explanation after a video surfaced showing him telling a guard he acted “out of curiosity.” Meanwhile his international support appears to be shrinking, as former allies offer muted reactions to his latest legal troubles.