Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro told a judge on Sunday that a combination of prescription medications caused paranoia and hallucinations that led him to tamper with his electronic ankle monitor, according to newly released court records. His statement came one day after federal police detained him over concerns that he might attempt to flee.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered Bolsonaro’s detention on Saturday, ending more than 100 days of house arrest while he awaits the final appeals of his conviction for attempting to overturn the 2022 election results. The right-wing former leader faces a 27-year prison sentence for orchestrating what the court deemed a coup plot.
During a 30-minute custody hearing, Bolsonaro denied any intention of escaping or disabling the tracking device. He said he was taking anticonvulsant medications prescribed by multiple doctors to treat chronic hiccups, which he claimed triggered delusions—including the belief that the tracker contained listening equipment. According to the court transcript, Bolsonaro admitted to briefly tampering with the device using a soldering iron before “coming to his senses” and notifying the officers stationed at his residence.
A judge ruled on Sunday to keep Bolsonaro in police custody, affirming that law enforcement followed legal protocol during the arrest. He is currently being held in a 12-square-meter cell at federal police headquarters in Brasilia, equipped with basic amenities including a private bathroom and air conditioning. A Supreme Court panel is expected to review his situation on Monday.
Bolsonaro’s legal team continues to push for what they call “humanitarian house arrest,” citing the former president’s long-standing medical issues, many of which stem from a 2018 stabbing that has required multiple surgeries. They argue his actions on the night of Nov. 22 were the result of medication-related confusion rather than an attempt to flee.
The case has drawn international attention. U.S. President Donald Trump—who has previously criticized Bolsonaro’s prosecution and imposed tariffs on Brazilian goods in protest—said he was unaware of the former president’s detention. Meanwhile, U.S. State Department officials expressed concern over what they described as implications for political stability and rule of law.
Outside the federal police headquarters, Bolsonaro supporters gathered on Sunday, claiming his arrest is politically motivated. His wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, visited him before continuing to a scheduled political event in northeastern Brazil.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defended the Supreme Court’s handling of the case during remarks at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, stating that Bolsonaro received due process and must now serve the sentence imposed by the court.
As Bolsonaro’s legal battles continue, his defense team hopes to secure a mitigation of his sentence. Prosecutors, however, maintain that the former president’s conviction reflects the severity of his efforts to undermine Brazil’s democratic process.