March 27, 2026, 5:19 p.mMarch 27, 2026, 5:19 p.m
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Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has been released from the hospital and is now under house arrest. Several Brazilian media outlets unanimously reported that he will serve his sentence at home in the capital Brasília for an initial period of 90 days.
The responsible judge at the Supreme Court, Alexandre de Moraes, had approved the relaxation of prison conditions for health reasons. The decision followed a request from the defense, which was also supported by the Attorney General’s Office. Such requests had previously been rejected several times, which is why the decision is seen as a turning point in the case.
House arrest with ankle bracelets and no smartphone
Bolsonaro had been treated for bacterial bronchopneumonia, a form of pneumonia, since mid-March and was temporarily in intensive care. Despite being placed under house arrest, he remains subject to strict conditions. He must wear an electronic ankle bracelet and is not allowed to use any means of communication such as smartphones or computers. Public statements on social networks are also prohibited.
At the end of the 90 days, a medical examination will clarify whether the 71-year-old must return to the regular prison system or whether his house arrest will be extended.
The former president is serving a prison sentence of more than 27 years for an attempted coup and was most recently imprisoned in the Papuda prison complex in Brasília. Bolsonaro has had health problems for years, which are also related to a knife attack on him during the 2018 election campaign. (sda/dpa)