Fri Nov 21 21:36:38 UTC 2025: Bolsonaro Appeals 27-Year Sentence, Cites Health Concerns, Seeks House Arrest
Brasilia, Brazil – Lawyers for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro are requesting he be allowed to serve his 27-year prison sentence under house arrest, citing serious health concerns stemming from recurring intestinal issues. The appeal, filed with Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, argues that imprisonment would pose a life-threatening risk to the 70-year-old former leader, who was stabbed in the stomach during his 2018 presidential campaign.
Bolsonaro was sentenced in September to 27 years and three months for allegedly orchestrating a coup to remain in power after his 2022 election defeat to current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. He was convicted of multiple crimes, including participating in a criminal organization and attempting to violently overthrow democracy.
“It is certain that keeping the petitioner in a prison environment would pose a concrete and immediate risk to his physical integrity and even his life,” the appeal states, requesting house arrest on humanitarian grounds.
Bolsonaro is already under house arrest for allegedly soliciting U.S. interference in a separate case. Court sources indicate that his arrest appeared imminent after a recent unanimous Supreme Court rejection of a previous appeal. While his lawyers plan to file a new appeal, they contend that if rejected, Bolsonaro should begin his sentence under house arrest, drawing parallels to a similar ruling for former President Fernando Collor de Mello.
Bolsonaro’s legal team cites recent medical tests indicating a high risk of “serious or sudden illness” and highlights reports from his son, Carlos Bolsonaro, who says the former president is suffering from severe hiccups and constant vomiting. The appeal intensifies the ongoing legal saga surrounding Bolsonaro and adds another layer of complexity to Brazil’s political landscape.
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