Brazilian Supreme Court says Bolsonaro can leave prison to undergo surgery

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro requested that the Supreme Court grant him permission to temporarily leave prison for a medical procedure later this week.

On Thursday, Bolsonaro, who is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for his involvement in a coup plot, will have hernia surgery, according to Justice Alexandre de Moraes’ announcement on Tuesday.

Lawyers for Bolsonaro had requested that he be moved to Hospital DF Star in Brasilia for Wednesday’s medical examinations and the following day’s surgery. He was complaining that a hernia was bothering him on both groins.

Since being stabbed in the abdomen during a campaign event in 2018, the former president has gone through a number of hospitalizations and medical procedures. His hospital visit marks his first break from federal custody since he began serving his sentence toward the end of November.

Bolsonaro was given a 24-hour order from the court to continue monitoring him.

The far-right leader was scheduled to address Metropoles on Tuesday, but he canceled because of health issues.

There has been rumor that Bolsonaro’s eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, will succeed him as the country’s political right leader after his imprisonment. During the Tuesday interview, some had anticipated Bolsonaro to announce his support for his son’s 2026 presidential campaign.

Flavio claimed in a social media post that his father would have preferred to speak during the interview but that “health first” was what was required.

Flavio stated that “he is about to undergo surgery.” He says, “Some days, he wakes up feeling well, and other days, he doesn’t.” He may have woke up feeling more unwell today.