The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday – Friday plus breaking news updates
Tech tycoon John McAfee claims he was arrested in Norway after refusing to remove a black lace thong which he used as a face mask.
Mr McAfee, 74, who is known for his anti-virus software, McAfee, tweeted on Monday: “I am being detained in Norway. Trivial issue but waiting for high level beaurocrats [sic] to arrive. Slow b******s, as you know.
“My Coronavirus mask is the problem. I am insisting it is the safest available and I’m refusing to wear anything else – for my health’s sake. Authority!?”
The 74-year-old had planned to meet with a group called the “Red Scarf Society” in Munich but confirmed he was pushing the event back a few hours “to be safe.”
His wife, Janice Dyson, eventually took over his account and tweeted: “I’ll manage John’s account until he escapes (usual method), bribes someone (very quick – might be out in a few hours), retains the right lawyer (will be a few days) or becomes warden of the jail, in which case we will have to force him out.
“His thong mask: It doesn’t recycle his exhaled carbon dioxide, like over the ear masks,” she wrote.
Mrs Dyson added: “(Breathing impaired people are exempt from wearing masks because masks impair respiration). Masks stop bacteria. Not viruses people! He was arrested for what he believes.
I was jailed:
Why?
Visited Catalonia just before Europe banned Catalonians from travelling.Tried to return to Germany and were refused entrance. They demanded we wear masks.
I put on my thong mask.
They demanded I replace it. I refused.
Tussle. Jail. Black eye. Released. pic.twitter.com/B8SW2VBzSm
— John McAfee (@officialmcafee) August 11, 2020
“He was not arrested for wearing the thong as a mask. He was arrested for refusing to replace it with a ‘medically certified’ over the ear mask. I refused as well. But they chose to arrest John, and leave me be.”
Mrs Dyson said that while John had been “arrested”, she was merely “detained”.
— John McAfee (@officialmcafee) August 10, 2020
Eventually, she was able to leave Norway using their private jet.
In a video filmed while on board back home, she said: “Hello everybody, I’m here on our private jet.
“I received instructions from John through a private connection that he wanted me to go home and wait for his arrival.
“So, hopefully – you know him, he got this, so you’ll be hearing from him soon, in a few hours I’m sure.
“In the meantime I’m headed home with our bodyguards and hopefully we’ll be hearing from him in a few hours. Take care!”
