Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was returned to custody in Brasilia after being discharged from hospital, hours after a Supreme Court justice rejected his request to serve his sentence under humanitarian house arrest.
Bolsonaro, 70, had been hospitalized for medical procedures to treat a hernia and persistent hiccups. Once doctors cleared him for discharge, he was transferred to the Federal Police Superintendency, where he is serving a 27 year prison sentence for plotting a coup following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election, according to Reuters.
The decision underscores the court’s firm stance as Brazil continues to reckon with the fallout from efforts to overturn the election result and challenges to democratic institutions.
Earlier on Thursday, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes denied a motion from Bolsonaro’s lawyers seeking permission for the former president to complete his sentence at home on medical grounds.
In his ruling, Moraes said Bolsonaro should “return to serve his prison sentence at the Federal Police Superintendency” once he received medical clearance. The judge had previously authorised Bolsonaro’s temporary hospital stay following a request from his legal team.
The DF Star hospital, where Bolsonaro was treated, declined to comment on his condition. The Federal Police also did not issue a statement.
A Reuters witness reported seeing official vehicles leaving the DF Star hospital in the early evening and heading toward the federal police facility in Brasilia, confirming Bolsonaro’s return to custody.
Bolsonaro was admitted to hospital last week for the procedures, which were approved by the court. Local media reported that doctors treated him for complications linked to past abdominal injuries.
The former president has a long medical history stemming from a stabbing attack during a campaign rally in 2018. Since then, he has undergone multiple surgeries and has been hospitalised several times for related complications.
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Bolsonaro was sentenced earlier this year after being convicted of orchestrating efforts to undermine Brazil’s democratic process following his election loss. Prosecutors argued that his actions contributed to political instability and culminated in violent unrest by supporters.
Justice Moraes has played a central role in overseeing cases tied to the alleged coup plot, repeatedly rejecting attempts by Bolsonaro’s defence team to ease detention conditions.
Meanwhile, Bolsonaro’s allies continue to criticize the rulings, while the court maintains that all decisions are grounded in Brazilian law and medical assessments provided by court approved professionals.
Authorities said Bolsonaro will remain under medical observation while in custody, with treatment continuing as needed inside the federal police complex.
