Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been discharged from hospital and returned to prison after undergoing medical procedures, according to local media reports.
Bolsonaro, 70, was released from the DF Star hospital in Brasília on Thursday evening, where he had been receiving treatment for a hernia and persistent hiccups. A Reuters witness confirmed that official vehicles left the hospital and proceeded to the Federal Police Superintendency in the capital, where the former leader is serving a 27-year prison sentence for plotting a coup following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election.
Earlier on Thursday, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes rejected an application by Bolsonaro’s legal team seeking permission for him to serve his sentence under humanitarian house arrest. In his ruling, Moraes stated that once medical clearance was granted, the former president was required to return to custody at the Federal Police facility. Both the DF Star hospital and the Federal Police declined to comment on the development.
Bolsonaro has a long history of medical complications stemming from a 2018 stabbing during a campaign rally, which has led to multiple hospitalisations and surgeries over the years. He was admitted to hospital last week after Justice Moraes authorised the procedures following a request from his lawyers, allowing him temporary medical leave before his return to prison.
Melissa Enoch
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