Bolsonaro's Ankle Monitor Tampering Sparks Paranoia Defense in Brazil
Image Source: Internet
Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after allegedly tampering with his court-ordered ankle monitor using a soldering iron. Bolsonaro, who has been under house arrest while appealing a conviction for plotting a coup, claims he acted out of 'paranoia' due to medication side effects. The Supreme Court deemed him a high flight risk and sentenced him to 27 years in prison in September for his role in a scheme to prevent his leftist rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, from taking office in 2022. Lula, who has announced plans to run for a fourth term in the 2026 presidential elections, says Bolsonaro's latest move has no bearing on Brazil's relationship with the US. Bolsonaro's defense team has vowed to appeal his detention, citing concerns for his health, which has been compromised by recurring abdominal issues following a 2018 stabbing. The US embassy's proximity to Bolsonaro's residence and past sanctions from former President Donald Trump have also been cited as factors in the court's decision to take action against him.
