Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has made a startling claim to explain why he tampered with his court-ordered ankle monitor, just one day into his preemptive jail term. The ex-leader, who is facing a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup, told a judge he suffered from hallucinations and a nervous breakdown.
Hallucinations and a Wire Tap Fear
According to a Supreme Court document published on Sunday, the 70-year-old Bolsonaro provided his explanation during a meeting with Assistant Judge Luciana Sorrentino. Bolsonaro stated that he experienced 'hallucinations' which made him believe the ankle monitoring device contained a wire tap. This paranoia, he claimed, prompted him to try and uncover the non-existent listening device.
The former president further elaborated that he had not been sleeping well and was experiencing a heightened state of paranoia. He told the judge he did not recall ever having a breakdown of this magnitude before and suggested it could be linked to a recent change in his medication. Bolsonaro once again firmly denied any intention to escape custody.
The Path to Jail
This incident directly led to his imprisonment. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes received an alert that Bolsonaro's ankle monitor had been violated at 12:08 a.m. on Saturday. Deeming the former president a flight risk, Justice de Moraes ordered his preemptive jailing just hours later.
This arrest is the latest development in a major legal battle for Bolsonaro. In September, a Supreme Court panel confirmed his sentencing to 27 years in prison for his role in attempting to stage a coup to remain in power after his electoral defeat to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2022. The same panel is scheduled to vote on confirming the preemptive arrest order this Monday.
Reactions and Health Pleas
While attending the G20 meeting in South Africa, current President Lula commented on his predecessor's jailing, stating simply, "The court ruled, that’s decided. Everyone knows what he did." Back in Brazil, the scene outside the federal police headquarters was divided, with pro-Bolsonaro protesters demanding the removal of Lula and De Moraes, while his detractors celebrated the arrest.
Bolsonaro's meeting with the assistant judge was a procedural step, but it also gave his legal team a chance to argue for his return to house arrest, citing his poor health. This is a request that Justice De Moraes has previously rejected. The former president claimed that none of his family members or aides present at his house saw him tamper with the device, as he allegedly began touching it late at night and stopped around midnight.
