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Defense requests permission for Bolsonaro to leave prison for surgery

The former president’s health has deteriorated, his lawyers say
André Richter
Published on 11/12/2025 - 10:35
Brasília
Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro stands at his home while under house arrest, amid the final phase of his trial, accused of plotting a coup after his electoral defeat, in Brasilia, Brazil, September 3, 2025. REUTERS/Diego Herculano   REFILE - CORRECTING DATE FROM
© Reuters/Diego Herculano/Arquivo/Proibida reprodução

Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro’s defense team has asked Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes to allow him to leave prison to undergo surgery as recommended by his doctors. The request was submitted Tuesday (Dec. 9).

Bolsonaro is being held in a room at the Federal Police headquarters in Brasília, where he is serving a sentence of 27 years and three months for his conviction in the criminal case involving a coup plot.

His lawyers claim his health has deteriorated and are requesting that he be taken immediately to the DF Star Hospital in Brasília. His hospitalization should last five to seven days, they say.

“As stated by the doctor treating the petitioner, the former president needs surgery both to treat his hiccups – which are a side effect of previous surgeries – and because his unilateral inguinal hernia has worsened and also requires surgical intervention,” the petition reads.

They also asked Justice Moraes again to place Bolsonaro under house arrest. According to the defense, the prison environment is incompatible with the former president’s health condition.

There is no deadline for Justice Alexandre de Moraes to decide on the matter.