The drama surrounding Jair Bolsonaro began just days before his arrest, when security officials detected interference with his electronic ankle monitor. This breach immediately raised suspicions among federal police that the former president was preparing an escape to a foreign embassy.
During a custody hearing, Bolsonaro denied the escape attempt, claiming that a “psychotic attack” caused by prescription drugs led him to believe the monitor was a secret listening device. He admitted to using a soldering iron on the device while in this delusional state.
Political analysts note the deep cynicism surrounding his bizarre medical defense, particularly since he had previously offered a much simpler excuse of acting “out of curiosity.” The pre-arrest timeline confirms that the tampering was the direct trigger for his detention.