Jailed former president Jair Bolsonaro fell in his prison cell and hit his head, but Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes denied an immediate hospital transfer. Federal Police said a physician found only minor injuries and saw no need for hospitalisation. De Moraes said Bolsonaro's lawyers can request medical exams but must schedule and justify them in advance. Bolsonaro has prior hospitalisations related to a 2018 stabbing and had recent procedures in December.
Bolsonaro Denied Immediate Hospital Transfer After Prison Fall — Judge Cites Minor Injuries
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro holds his head after taking medical tests at DF Star hospital in Brasilia in August 2025 [AFP]
Jair Bolsonaro, the jailed former president of Brazil, fell in his prison cell and struck his head, but a Supreme Court justice refused an immediate transfer to a hospital for further tests.
According to an Instagram post by his wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, the 70-year-old fell out of bed while sleeping and hit his head on a piece of furniture. Michelle wrote that they were "going to the hospital" and that Bolsonaro would undergo examinations.
“We are going to the hospital. My love will undergo exams,” Michelle Bolsonaro wrote on Instagram.
Official Response
The Federal Police said Bolsonaro received initial medical treatment in the morning and that a federal police physician identified only minor injuries, finding no immediate need for hospitalisation. Their statement emphasized that any referral to a hospital requires authorisation from the Supreme Court.
Court Decision And Next Steps
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes denied Bolsonaro’s request for an immediate hospital transfer. In his decision, de Moraes cited the police medical report and noted there was no indication of an urgent need for hospital care. He also confirmed that Bolsonaro’s legal team retains the right to request medical examinations, but lawyers must schedule those tests in advance and provide justification for them.
Medical Background And Context
Bolsonaro has a history of hospitalisations linked to a 2018 stabbing during a campaign event, and he underwent a series of procedures in December to treat a hernia and persistent hiccups. He was discharged from hospital on January 1 and returned to the Federal Police Superintendency in Brasilia, where he is serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup after his defeat in the 2022 presidential election.
What This Means: Authorities say there is no immediate medical indication to transfer Bolsonaro to a hospital. His legal team may still request additional exams, but those must be scheduled and justified to the court in advance.
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