Brazil's Bolsonaro allowed to serve 27-year sentence at home due to ill health

March 25, 2026 - 00:13

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will serve his lengthy 27-year prison sentence from his own residence, following a ruling by a high court justice. The decision, made on humanitarian grounds, cites the right-wing leader's declining health as the primary reason for the change from incarceration to house arrest.

Bolsonaro was convicted last year for his role in attempting to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election and orchestrating a coup attempt. His sentence stands as one of the most severe penalties ever handed to a former head of state in the country's history.

The justice's order mandates that Bolsonaro remain under strict home confinement, with his movements and communications heavily monitored by authorities. Legal experts note that the ruling is specifically tied to his medical condition and does not represent a reduction or pardon for his crimes. The decision has ignited intense debate across the nation, with supporters viewing it as a necessary measure and critics arguing it undermines the gravity of his convictions for crimes against democracy. The former president's legal team has stated he will continue to appeal the underlying convictions while adhering to the conditions of his confinement.