Brazil Court Allows Bolsonaro Hospital Trip Amid Prison Sentence

Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has authorized former President Jair Bolsonaro to temporarily leave the Federal Police Superintendency in Brasília, where he is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence, to undergo a surgical procedure at a hospital. The decision was reported on Friday by Brazilian news network GloboNews and has drawn renewed attention to Bolsonaro’s legal situation and the broader political fallout following Brazil’s 2022 election.

According to the report, Justice Moraes approved the request after Bolsonaro’s defense team formally petitioned the court last week, citing medical necessity. The authorization allows the former president to be transferred under guard to a hospital for treatment, after which he is expected to return to federal custody. Court officials have not disclosed specific details about the surgery, but local media described it as a necessary medical procedure rather than an emergency.

In the same request, Bolsonaro’s lawyers also asked the Supreme Court to consider allowing him to serve his sentence under what they described as “humanitarian house arrest.” They argued that Bolsonaro’s health condition, age, and medical history justify a less restrictive form of detention. As of now, Justice Moraes has not ruled on the request for house arrest, and Bolsonaro remains imprisoned at the Federal Police facility in the capital.

Bolsonaro, a right-wing populist and former army captain, was convicted in September for his role in plotting a coup following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election. Prosecutors said he actively worked to undermine democratic institutions and encouraged efforts to overturn the election results after losing to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The court sentenced him to 27 years in prison, marking one of the most significant criminal convictions of a former Brazilian leader in recent history.

The case continues to polarize Brazilian society, with supporters arguing Bolsonaro is being politically persecuted, while critics say the ruling reinforces the rule of law and democratic accountability. The latest decision by Justice Moraes highlights how Brazil’s judiciary is balancing security, legal enforcement, and humanitarian considerations in high-profile cases. As Bolsonaro’s legal team presses for house arrest, the court’s next steps will be closely watched both in Brazil and internationally.