Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes granted humanitarian house arrest to General Augusto Heleno on Monday (22), after an expert report confirmed diagnoses of Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. The decision takes into account the military man's critical health and lack of flight risk. Heleno, sentenced to 21 years for an attempted coup d'état, will have to wear an electronic ankle bracelet and comply with strict restrictions.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes granted humanitarian house arrest to retired General Augusto Heleno on Monday (December 22, 2025), who was sentenced to 21 years in prison for involvement in an attempted coup d'état. The decision was prompted by medical reports confirming mixed dementia (Alzheimer's and vascular), as well as advanced spinal osteoarthritis with kyphoscoliosis, chronic pain, and fall risk. Moraes emphasized that the measure is "reasonable, adequate, and proportional," given Heleno's advanced age and lack of any flight risk indicators, as the general voluntarily surrendered to the Federal Police on November 25, 2025, to begin serving his sentence at the Planalto Military Command.
"The conduct of the convicted Augusto Heleno Ribeiro Pereira, after his conviction by the STF, was guided by cooperation with justice, evidenced by his spontaneous presentation at the Federal Police," the justice wrote in his decision.
Heleno, accused of helping build narratives against electronic voting machines and approving illegal spying alongside former Abin director Alexandre Ramagem, was convicted of attempted coup d'état, armed criminal organization, abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law, qualified damage to public property, and deterioration of listed heritage. The military's defense presented a psychiatric history dating back to 2018, with progressive memory failures from 2023, leading to the definitive diagnosis in January 2025. The Attorney General's Office (PGR) supported the grant in November.
Under the new conditions, Heleno will wear an electronic ankle bracelet, surrender his passport, and be prohibited from receiving visits except from lawyers and an authorized medical team, as well as any communication via phone, cell phone, or social media. Health-related travel will require prior authorization, under penalty of return to closed regime. The defense hailed the decision as recognition of fundamental rights to health and human dignity, stating that Heleno will comply with all measures alongside his family.
Heleno's situation contrasts with that of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is also awaiting a decision from Moraes on intestinal surgery.
