Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has been granted permission to serve his 27-year sentence for attempting a coup at home instead of in prison because of his failing health. The decision by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes follows Bolsonaro's hospitalisation since 13 March for pneumonia, one of several health problems he has faced since being stabbed in 2018 before his election.
Bolsonaro was recently placed in intensive care for a few days due to kidney problems and other issues. His doctors have not given a discharge date from the hospital in Brasília, but his overall condition has improved.
The house arrest is for an initial period of 90 days, after which the court will reassess whether the requirements for maintaining the arrangement are still met, including a possible medical examination. Justice Moraes wrote that after this period, the necessity will be reevaluated.
Bolsonaro's lawyers had long sought permission for him to serve his sentence under humanitarian house arrest, but previous requests were denied. On Monday, Attorney General Paulo Gonet paved the way for the transfer from prison to home confinement.
One of Bolsonaro's sons, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, has announced he will run for the presidency in October. Polls show he is in a dead heat with the incumbent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Historically, Brazil's Supreme Court only reverses house arrest if the detainee's health improves dramatically or if there is a violation of the established rules, such as making public statements or posting on social media.
