Out of intensive care, Bolsonaro awaits ruling on home detention

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was hospitalised with pneumonia, was moved out of intensive care on Monday, one of his doctors reported, as he awaits the Supreme Court’s decision on whether to grant him home arrest.

After more than a week in hospital in the capital, Brasília, the 71-year-old far-right politician was transferred to a regular inpatient ward, though “there is no plan for his discharge” at present, Dr Brasil Caiado told AFP.

Bolsonaro also received a favourable opinion from the prosecutor’s office on Monday for a transfer to his home rather than a return to Papuda prison in Brasília, where he has been held since January.

The former president was sentenced to 27 years in prison last September for an attempted coup in 2022.

Following the positive recommendation from the prosecutor’s office, the decision now lies with Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw the trial that convicted Bolsonaro.

According to his medical team, Bolsonaro’s infection resulted from a bronchial aspiration episode linked to complications from a stab wound to the abdomen sustained during his 2018 presidential campaign.

Doctors reported on Monday that Bolsonaro’s condition is stable.

While in prison, he endorsed his eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, as his preferred candidate for October’s presidential election.

With less than seven months to go, some opinion polls indicate a close race between Jair Bolsonaro and leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is seeking a fourth term.