Bolsonaro Says Sudden Paranoia Led Him to Interfere With Ankle Tag

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro claimed during a hearing that sudden paranoia brought on by medication caused him to sabotage the ankle monitor used to track him.
His arrest came after an overnight alert showed the device had been tampered with. Officials feared he was preparing to flee into diplomatic protection.
Bolsonaro has been living under house arrest since his conviction for leading a coup attempt. His prison transfer was expected soon, making the situation even more urgent.
At the hearing, Bolsonaro said a combination of a painkiller and an antidepressant triggered hallucinations that made him believe the device was secretly listening to him. Acting under that fear, he tried to open it.
Analysts viewed the explanation with scepticism, pointing to earlier contradictory statements. International reactions to the arrest were also restrained.