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Bolsonaro's Lawyers Ask Supreme Court to Allow House Arrest, Citing Serious Health Risks

08:11 AM, 11/22/2025
Bolsonaro's Lawyers Ask Supreme Court to Allow House Arrest, Citing Serious Health Risks

Lawyers for former president Jair Bolsonaro have petitioned Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes to allow him to serve his 27-year, three-month sentence under house arrest, citing recurring intestinal problems and complications from a 2018 stabbing. Bolsonaro was convicted in September by a five-judge Supreme Court panel of plotting a coup after his 2022 election defeat. His legal team argues incarceration would pose an immediate risk to his health and points to a recent precedent in which the court allowed another ex-president to serve house arrest for medical reasons. The defense says it will pursue further appeals while requesting humanitarian detention if those appeals fail.

Lawyers for former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro have asked Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes to permit him to serve his 27-year, three-month prison sentence under house arrest, arguing that his medical condition makes incarceration potentially life-threatening.

In a formal filing reviewed by multiple outlets, Bolsonaro’s legal team said the 70-year-old suffers recurring intestinal problems and other complications that, together with a 2018 stabbing injury, place him at heightened risk if held in a prison environment. The legal team urged the court to grant house arrest on humanitarian grounds.

“It is certain that keeping the petitioner in a prison environment would pose a concrete and immediate risk to his physical integrity and even his life,” the filing states.

In September, a five-judge panel of Brazil’s Supreme Court sentenced Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months after finding him guilty of plotting a coup to remain in power following his 2022 election defeat to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He was convicted on five counts, including participating in an armed criminal organization, attempting to violently abolish democracy, and organizing a coup.

Bolsonaro is already under house arrest in a separate case related to alleged efforts to solicit foreign interference to block criminal proceedings. Court sources say his arrest in the broader conviction appears imminent after the Supreme Court panel recently rejected an appeal from his defense. His lawyers have indicated they will file another appeal and have requested that, should appeals fail, their client be allowed to begin serving his sentence under house arrest once all legal remedies are exhausted.

Bolsonaro’s team pointed to a recent precedent: earlier this year the Supreme Court permitted 76-year-old former president Fernando Collor de Mello to serve house arrest because of age and health concerns after his conviction on corruption and money-laundering charges.

The lawyers added that recent medical exams suggest a serious or sudden illness is likely without appropriate care. One of Bolsonaro’s sons, Carlos, posted on X that the former president was experiencing severe hiccups and persistent vomiting. On Friday, Bolsonaro briefly appeared at the doorway of his home while receiving a visit from federal lawmaker Nikolas Ferreira.

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