Jair Bolsonaro Temporarily Released from Prison for Medical Evaluation
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro received a temporary reprieve from his 27-year prison sentence on Wednesday, allowing him to undergo medical evaluations in the capital following an incident where he fell from his bed.
Bolsonaro, aged 70, was escorted by police from the federal police headquarters in Brasilia to DF Star hospital for three neurological tests. The examinations took place around midday.
By 4:30 p.m. local time (1930 GMT), Bolsonaro’s wife, Michelle, shared on Instagram that the tests were completed and they awaited the results. She confirmed that her husband had returned to prison.
DF Star hospital later released a statement indicating that Bolsonaro sustained “mild soft-tissue thickening in the frontal and right temporal regions” due to the fall, but no further treatment was necessary.
The incident occurred between Monday night and Tuesday morning while Bolsonaro was asleep in his cell. His son, Carlos, and wife voiced their concerns on social media, expressing frustration over the delay in receiving medical attention.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes sanctioned the hospital visit on Wednesday, referencing a health report from Tuesday that noted Bolsonaro had experienced mild head trauma. Despite the injury, Bolsonaro was found to be conscious and coherent, with a minor facial cut.
Justice de Moraes approved a series of tests, including a tomography, brain scan, and brain wave examination, as requested by Bolsonaro’s legal team. He instructed that the hospital transfer be handled discreetly, with the federal police overseeing security and ensuring Bolsonaro’s return to prison.
Bolsonaro had been discharged from the hospital and returned to prison the previous Thursday after a double hernia surgery. His medical visits have been frequent since he was stabbed at a 2018 campaign event.
In September, Bolsonaro and several associates were found guilty by a Supreme Court panel of attempting to disrupt Brazil’s democratic processes following his 2022 election defeat. The plan allegedly included intentions to assassinate President Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Justice de Moraes, alongside plans for an uprising in early 2023.
Additionally, Bolsonaro faced charges of leading an armed criminal organization and attempting to violently dismantle the democratic rule of law, all of which he denies.
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