Bolsonaro's Defense Seeks House Arrest Citing Health Concerns Post-Hospital Discharge
Bolsonaro's defense has filed for house arrest after his hospital discharge, citing severe health issues and referencing former president Collor's precedent.
- • Bolsonaro's defense requested house arrest after hospital discharge due to severe health problems.
- • The request cites former president Fernando Collor de Mello's case as a legal precedent.
- • Medical reports warn of serious respiratory and cardiovascular risks if medical care is not met.
- • Defense argues adequate care cannot be ensured in Federal Police facilities, urging immediate house arrest.
Key details
The legal defense team of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has formally requested the conversion of his prison regime to house arrest on urgent health grounds following his recent hospital treatment. The request was submitted to the Supreme Federal Court (STF) on December 31, 2025, coinciding with Bolsonaro's anticipated hospital discharge on February 1, 2026.
Bolsonaro's lawyers drew on the precedent set by the case of former president Fernando Collor de Mello to justify their plea, highlighting the severity of Bolsonaro's medical condition. The former president suffers from severe obstructive sleep apnea and is dependent on continuous use of a CPAP machine to maintain his breathing. Additionally, Bolsonaro underwent surgery just before the Christmas period, after which his medical condition reportedly worsened.
The defense's petition, addressed to STF Minister Alexandre de Moraes, emphasizes that Bolsonaro's return to the Federal Police headquarters would pose significant health risks. Attached medical reports indicate potential life-threatening respiratory and cardiovascular complications if prescribed medical care is not strictly followed. They also mention an increased risk of falls, underscoring the impossibility of guaranteeing adequate medical attention within the current detention facilities.
This humanitarian appeal requests immediate house arrest upon Bolsonaro’s hospital discharge to ensure proper health management. The legal team argues that the Federal Police facilities cannot provide the necessary care, making home confinement the only viable option until his health stabilizes. The final evaluation of this plea rests with Minister Alexandre de Moraes.
Bolsonaro's situation highlights ongoing legal and health challenges intersecting at a critical juncture in his detention. The request for house arrest reflects broader concerns about prisoner health rights and judicial responsiveness in high-profile cases.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
