Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro was discharged from hospital today and will begin serving house arrest, following his conviction to more than 27 years in prison for crimes against the democratic rule of law.
After two weeks hospitalized in a private facility in Brasília—due to pneumonia caused by bronchoaspiration while sleeping in his prison cell—Bolsonaro will return home under an order issued by Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Federal Court.
The house arrest measure will last 90 days, after which authorities will reassess whether the conditions for maintaining what was described as a “humanitarian house arrest” still apply, potentially including a medical evaluation.
The judge also imposed strict conditions, including the mandatory use of an electronic ankle monitor and a ban on mobile phone use.
Read more about this topic: Brazil’s Supreme Court authorizes 90-day house arrest for Jair Bolsonaro (with video)
Bolsonaro’s defense criticized the temporary nature of the decision, arguing that house arrest should be permanent given the 71-year-old’s health condition.
The former president has been serving his sentence since late November 2025, initially at a Federal Police facility in Brasília and later in a prison complex in the capital. His health reportedly deteriorated during detention, leading to several hospitalizations.
Jair Bolsonaro has faced recurring health issues, which he and his allies attribute to the 2018 stabbing attack he suffered during his presidential campaign. These include severe hiccup episodes leading to vomiting, believed to have contributed to the latest pneumonia. Photo: Adriano Machado/Reuters
In recent days, Judge Alexandre de Moraes met with Bolsonaro’s eldest son, Flávio Bolsonaro, and his wife, Michelle Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro has faced recurring health issues, which he and his allies attribute to the 2018 stabbing attack he suffered during his presidential campaign. These include severe hiccup episodes leading to vomiting, believed to have contributed to the latest pneumonia.
Read more about this topic: Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro hospitalised again
He was convicted on September 11, 2025, of multiple charges, including armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, coup attempt, aggravated damage, and vandalism.
