Supreme Court of Brazil Denies Jair Bolsonaro's Request for House Arrest

Bolsonaro Remains in Jail

The Federal Supreme Court of Brazil has once again denied the request from former President Jair Bolsonaro's defense team to be transferred from prison to house arrest. The 70-year-old Bolsonaro has been hospitalized in recent days, undergoing several treatments for issues caused by severe hiccups and a hernia.

On January 1, 2026, the court explained that Bolsonaro's access to continued medical assistance while in detention is adequate. Justice Alexandre de Moraes argued that the health condition of the former right-wing leader does not justify a 'humanitarian' accommodation and that no deterioration in his health has been observed.

Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year prison sentence for attempting to overturn his electoral defeat in 2022. His lawyers have warned about life-threatening conditions behind bars, but their requests for house arrest have been rejected.

In December 2025, the court approved his request to leave prison for surgery for the hernia, but he continues to request additional medical procedures, including treatment for persistent hiccups. Bolsonaro, a former army captain, has become a prominent figure on the far-right in Brazil, having served as president from 2019 to 2023. He has been accused of inciting violence and attempting to undermine the integrity of elections.

Despite the allegations, he remains a popular figure in the political scene, and his son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, has announced intentions to run for the presidency this year.