Brazil Supreme Court extends Jair Bolsonaro's house arrest on health grounds, orders weapons seized

Ruling on the house arrest

Brazil's Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ruled on Friday that former president Jair Bolsonaro can continue serving his 27-year sentence under house arrest, citing humanitarian grounds. The decision extends the 90-day period granted in March after Bolsonaro (71) was hospitalised with bacterial bronchopneumonia. Moraes stated the measure remained reasonable and proportionate and did not set a new deadline for review.

At this time, the continuation of humanitarian house arrest appears reasonable, appropriate and proportionate.

Health and the path to home confinement

Bolsonaro, who was stabbed on the campaign trail in 2018, has faced recurring health issues. He was admitted to hospital in March 2026 with an acute form of pneumonia, prompting Moraes to allow him to serve his sentence at his Brasília residence from 27 March. During the three-month period the former president also underwent shoulder surgery and physiotherapy. His defence argued that his condition had worsened recently, with hiccup crises and further medical examinations.

The firearm incident

In mid-June a Glock 9 mm pistol registered to Bolsonaro was found with a member of his security detail during a routine police checkpoint. Bolsonaro told authorities he kept the weapon at home for security and had asked the military aide to take it for repair. Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet recommended that the house arrest should not be revoked over the incident, stating there was no evidence of serious misconduct.

There is no disciplinary infraction attributable to the convicted person that negatively affects the current regime under which he is serving his sentence.

New restrictions and weapon seizure

Although Moraes did not punish Bolsonaro for the pistol discovery, he ordered the seizure of all firearms registered in the former president's name and revoked his gun licence, giving him 48 hours to surrender the weapons. Bolsonaro will remain under electronic monitoring, barred from using mobile phones and social media, and can receive visitors only with judicial authorisation. A police security team will be stationed at his home to prevent any escape attempt.

Electoral backdrop

The former president's son Flávio Bolsonaro is set to represent the conservative camp in October's presidential election, facing incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is running for a fourth non-consecutive term. Bolsonaro was sentenced in September 2025 and has been in detention since November of that year.