Conspiracy Claim: Bolsonaro Thought Ankle Monitor Was Spy Gear During ‘Psychotic Attack’

Jair Bolsonaro’s defense for tampering with his electronic ankle monitor hinges on a conspiracy theory he claims he believed during a “psychotic attack”: that the device was secretly recording him. He testified that the delusion was brought on by a combination of a strong painkiller and an antidepressant.
The former president was arrested after federal police detected interference with his tracking equipment, suspecting he was preparing an escape to a foreign embassy to avoid his 27-year prison sentence for a failed coup. Bolsonaro denied any plan to flee the country during the subsequent custody hearing.
Political analysts are highly doubtful of his bizarre narrative, pointing out that it contradicts his earlier, much simpler claim of acting “out of curiosity.” He admitted to using a soldering iron on the device in a misguided attempt to disable the purported spy gear.