Jair Bolsonaro Relocated to New Detention Facility with Enhanced Amenities
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — On Thursday, a Brazilian Supreme Court Justice mandated the relocation of former President Jair Bolsonaro from the federal police headquarters in Brasilia to a larger cell with outdoor access at the Papuda Penitentiary Complex, also located in the capital.
This decision was described as an upgrade to a facility offering “more favorable conditions” for individuals of high profile.
Since November, Bolsonaro has been serving a 27-year sentence for his involvement in a coup attempt following his defeat in the 2022 elections. His legal team has been advocating for his transfer to house arrest due to health concerns.
Bolsonaro’s family, including his wife Michelle and his sons, have consistently claimed that he is being mistreated and is not receiving adequate medical care.
In his ruling, Justice Alexandre de Moraes dismissed these allegations, stating, “Regrettably and falsely, there has been a systematic attempt to delegitimize the regular and lawful execution of the custodial sentence of Jair Messias Bolsonaro, which has been carried out with full respect for human dignity.”
Previously, Bolsonaro was housed in a 12-square-meter room equipped with a bed, private bathroom, air conditioning, a television, and a desk. Justice Moraes ordered his transfer to a more comfortable 54-square-meter space with a 10-square-meter outdoor area accessible at any time.
The new accommodations offer increased visiting hours for family and will be equipped with physiotherapy devices like a treadmill and bicycle. This space resembles an apartment, featuring a double bed, a kitchen, laundry facilities, a living room, and an outdoor area.
However, Moraes denied the request for a smart TV, citing concerns that internet access could pose security risks and potentially facilitate unauthorized communication and illegal activities.
According to the Supreme Court’s press office, Bolsonaro’s transfer has already been completed.
Since his imprisonment began, Bolsonaro has been hospitalized on multiple occasions, most recently after falling out of bed and injuring his head.
Justice Moraes also ordered a medical evaluation to assess Bolsonaro’s health and decide if a transfer to a penitentiary hospital is necessary. The Papuda facility is equipped with a health post staffed by doctors, nurses, dentists, psychologists, a psychiatrist, and a pharmacist dedicated to the needs of the detainees.
Bolsonaro has experienced several hospitalizations since being stabbed at a campaign event in 2018.
The ex-president and several associates were found guilty by a Supreme Court panel of justices for attempting to subvert Brazil’s democracy following his electoral loss in 2022.
The conspiracy included plans to assassinate President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Justice de Moraes, alongside efforts to incite an uprising in early 2023.
Bolsonaro was additionally convicted of orchestrating an armed criminal organization and attempting to violently dismantle the democratic rule of law. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
In the court order issued on Thursday, Justice Moraes emphasized the gravity of Bolsonaro’s crimes, noting that his detention is not akin to a “hotel stay or a vacation colony” despite claims from Bolsonaro’s sons that appear to suggest otherwise.
