Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro told the court that hallucinations caused by medication convinced him his ankle monitor was bugged, leading him to tamper with it.
He was arrested on Saturday after security systems registered interference with the device. Authorities believed he was preparing to escape to an embassy.
Bolsonaro has remained under house arrest since being convicted of leading a failed coup attempt. His 27-year sentence was expected to be enforced within days.
During the hearing, Bolsonaro said a painkiller and an antidepressant led to a psychotic episode. Acting under this false belief, he attempted to dismantle the tracking equipment.
Analysts questioned the credibility of his story, referencing earlier footage where he offered a different explanation. Reaction from the international community was muted.