Jair Bolsonaro attributed his decision to damage his electronic ankle monitor to a bout of drug-fueled paranoia. During a custody hearing, he claimed a “psychotic attack,” triggered by a mix of a painkiller and an antidepressant, led him to believe the tracking device was a clandestine listening device.
His explanation followed his arrest by federal police, who suspected the interference with the monitor signaled he was preparing to flee Brazil for a foreign embassy to avoid his 27-year prison sentence for a failed coup. Bolsonaro, however, strongly denied any intention to escape his house arrest.
Political observers are largely doubtful of the dramatic new narrative, pointing out that he had previously claimed the tampering was a result of mere “curiosity.” He admitted to using a soldering iron on the monitor during the episode.
Drug-Fueled Paranoia: Bolsonaro’s Excuse for Damaging His Electronic Tracking Device
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