Brazil Court Extends Bolsonaro’s House Arrest

Brazil’s Supreme Court has ruled that former President Jair Bolsonaro will remain under house arrest on humanitarian grounds after considering his deteriorating health, despite his conviction for plotting to overturn the country’s democratic order following the 2022 presidential election.

The decision, delivered on Friday by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, upholds Bolsonaro’s continued confinement at his residence instead of returning him to a conventional prison. The court concluded that his medical condition justifies the arrangement and that maintaining house arrest remains both appropriate and proportionate on humanitarian grounds.

Bolsonaro, 71, was arrested in August 2025 after being convicted of attempting to retain power through a military-backed coup following his defeat to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the 2022 presidential election. Prosecutors alleged that the former president participated in efforts to overturn the election result and undermine Brazil’s democratic institutions, allegations that culminated in one of the country’s most significant political trials in recent decades.

In September 2025, he was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison for his role in the alleged conspiracy.

Following his arrest, Bolsonaro was initially placed under house arrest before being subjected to electronic monitoring. He was later transferred to a detention cell at the federal police headquarters in Brasília after authorities cited security concerns and several incidents related to his detention. In January, he was moved to Papuda Prison, one of Brazil’s principal correctional facilities.

His health deteriorated considerably while in custody.

The former president developed pneumonia and kidney complications, requiring admission to an intensive care unit. Given the seriousness of his condition, the Supreme Court authorised a 90-day period of house arrest on 24 March, allowing him to receive medical treatment outside the prison system while remaining under judicial supervision.

As the temporary arrangement neared its expiry, Bolsonaro’s legal team petitioned the court to extend the measure, arguing that his health had not improved sufficiently to permit a return to prison.

Justice de Moraes granted the request after reviewing updated medical assessments and the circumstances of Bolsonaro’s confinement. In his ruling, the judge observed that the former president’s condition had improved during the initial 90-day period of house arrest and that there was no evidence he had committed any serious misconduct or violated the conditions imposed by the court.

The judgment stated that, under the current circumstances, continuing house arrest was “reasonable and appropriate on humanitarian grounds”.

The ruling reflects the court’s effort to balance the enforcement of a lengthy prison sentence with the state’s obligation to protect the health and dignity of prisoners. Brazilian courts have previously taken serious medical conditions into account when determining how custodial sentences should be served, particularly in cases involving elderly inmates or those suffering from severe illnesses.

The extension of Bolsonaro’s house arrest comes despite a recent security-related incident. During a police checkpoint search, officers reportedly recovered a firearm from one of his security personnel. Although the incident attracted renewed public attention, the court concluded that it did not justify revoking the former president’s house arrest or altering the existing detention arrangement.

Brazil’s Attorney General also supported the continuation of house arrest, agreeing that Bolsonaro’s medical condition warranted the measure while ensuring he remained under judicial oversight.

Although confined to his residence, Bolsonaro is expected to remain in contact with family members and political allies within the limits established by the court. As a result, he is likely to retain influence within Brazil’s conservative political movement, even if legal restrictions prevent him from contesting future elections.

The case continues to hold immense political significance in Brazil, where the aftermath of the 2022 presidential election remains one of the country’s most polarising periods in recent history. Bolsonaro’s conviction represented a landmark moment for Brazil’s democratic institutions, while the Supreme Court’s latest decision demonstrates the judiciary’s attempt to uphold both the rule of law and humanitarian considerations in the execution of criminal sentences.

The extension of Bolsonaro’s house arrest does not alter either his conviction or the prison sentence imposed on him. It solely determines the manner in which the sentence will continue to be served for the time being, with the court indicating that any future changes will depend on his health, compliance with judicial conditions and further legal assessments.