Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been discharged from a hospital in Brasilia and transferred back to prison. This follows a series of medical procedures, including surgeries for a bilateral inguinal hernia and to address a persistent case of hiccups.
Medical Discharge and Prison Transfer
On Thursday, January 1, 2026, the 70-year-old former leader was released from the DF Star hospital. A Reuters witness observed a convoy of official vehicles departing the medical facility in the evening. The motorcade proceeded directly to the Federal Police Superintendency in Brasilia, where Bolsonaro is incarcerated.
Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for his role in plotting a coup following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election. The hospital and Federal Police authorities have declined to comment on the transfer.
Supreme Court Rejects House Arrest Plea
Earlier on the same day, a significant legal development unfolded. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes dismissed a petition from Bolsonaro's legal team. The lawyers had sought permission for their client to serve his sentence under "humanitarian house arrest" due to his health condition.
Justice Moraes' ruling was clear and direct. It stated that upon receiving the necessary medical clearance, Bolsonaro must "return to serve his prison sentence ... at the Federal Police Superintendency." This order effectively closed the door on any immediate relief from incarceration.
History of Health Issues
The recent hospital admission, which began last week, is part of a longer medical history for the former president. The surgical procedures were authorized by Justice Moraes after a formal request from Bolsonaro's defence lawyers.
Bolsonaro's health problems are linked to a life-threatening attack in 2018, when he was stabbed in the abdomen during a campaign event. This incident has led to multiple hospitalizations and surgeries over the years. The latest operations for hernia repair and persistent hiccups were the most recent chapters in this ongoing medical saga.
With his return to the Federal Police facility, Bolsonaro resumes serving his lengthy sentence, marking a continued period of legal consequence for the controversial former leader.
