Bolsonaro Moved to Regular Hospital Room, House Arrest Possible

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was moved to a regular hospital room in Brasília on Monday as he continues to recover from pneumonia, according to one of his doctors. The development comes as Brazil’s Attorney General has cleared the way for Bolsonaro to potentially serve the remainder of his 27-year sentence under house arrest, rather than in prison.

Bolsonaro, who served as president from 2019 to 2022, was convicted of leading an attempt to overturn the results of the 2023 election. He was hospitalized on March 13 after falling ill while incarcerated at the Papuda penitentiary in Brasília. He was initially placed in semi-intensive care three days later, according to reports.

Dr. Brasil Caiado told reporters in Brasília that there is currently no established date for Bolsonaro’s discharge. The former president was transferred from federal police headquarters to a larger cell in January, following his arrest in November, according to the Associated Press.

Attorney General Paulo Gonet has recommended to Justice Alexandre de Moraes that Bolsonaro be allowed to serve his sentence at home with an ankle monitor. Gonet stated that Bolsonaro’s “clinical evolution…recommends” house imprisonment, according to the AP. Moraes, who oversaw the case against Bolsonaro regarding the attempted coup, has yet to rule on the recommendation, but often aligns with the Attorney General’s suggestions.

Bolsonaro’s family and allies have repeatedly petitioned Brazil’s Supreme Court for house arrest, arguing for his release from prison. The Attorney General’s decision aligns with those requests.