Bolsonaro Claims Psychotic Attack Led to Ankle Monitor Tampering

Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro admitted to damaging his electronic ankle monitor with a hot iron, claiming he was experiencing a substance-induced psychotic attack that led him to believe the device was bugged. Bolsonaro made this statement during a custody hearing on Sunday, 24 hours after his arrest at his home in Brasília, amid suspicions he was planning to abscond to a foreign embassy to avoid serving a 27-year sentence for masterminding a failed coup. According to Bolsonaro, he took a soldering iron to the ankle tag being used to track his location while under house arrest, which he believed was compromised. Bolsonaro's defense team argued that the former president's actions were a result of a psychotic episode, rather than an attempt to evade justice. "I was hallucinating that the device was bugged," Bolsonaro said during the hearing. "I took the soldering iron to disable it, not to escape." Bolsonaro's arrest and subsequent hearing came as a result of his conviction by the supreme court in September for engineering a coup attempt. The 70-year-old had been living under house arrest since August and was expected to be sent to prison in the coming days after a series of appeals. However, security officials detected that the ankle tag had been tampered with, leading to his arrest. The incident has raised concerns about the mental health of high-profile individuals, particularly those in positions of power. "This case highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues in public figures," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a psychologist specializing in high-profile cases. "It also raises questions about the security measures in place to prevent individuals from tampering with their ankle monitors." The current status of Bolsonaro's case remains uncertain, with his defense team arguing for a psychiatric evaluation to assess his mental state. The supreme court has yet to rule on the matter, and it is unclear when Bolsonaro will be sent to prison to serve his sentence. As the situation unfolds, experts are closely watching the case to understand the implications for society and the potential consequences for individuals who may be struggling with mental health issues.