STF Justice Alexandre de Moraes authorized former President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday (24) to serve his sentence under 90-day humanitarian house arrest starting from medical discharge due to broncopneumonia. The order requires an electronic ankle bracelet and bans social media use. Allies celebrate but criticize the temporary nature.
STF Justice Alexandre de Moraes granted former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) temporary humanitarian house arrest on Tuesday (24), for an initial 90 days from medical discharge to recover from bacterial broncopneumonia. Bolsonaro has been hospitalized in Brasília since March 13, leaving the ICU on the night of March 23 with no discharge date set. Sentenced to 27 years and three months by the STF's First Panel for attempted coup d'état, he was serving time at Papudinha after the PF superintendency in Brasília since November 2025. The decision followed a meeting between Michelle Bolsonaro and Moraes the previous day and a PGR opinion. Moraes ordered an electronic ankle bracelet confining Bolsonaro to his Solar de Brasília condominium in Jardim Botânico, with daily monitoring and STF reports. DF Military Police will guard the residence, inspecting vehicles and collecting visitors' cell phones to prevent external communications. Access is limited: Michelle, daughter Laura, stepdaughter, and doctors have free entry; lawyers get 30 daily scheduled minutes; sons as visitors on Wednesdays and Saturdays in set hours. Protests are banned within 1 km. Michelle Bolsonaro celebrated on social media: “Thank you, my God!” and said she would continue caring for her husband. São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos-SP) called the family environment “fair” for treatment. Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), presidential pre-candidate, criticized the term as “exotic” and “provisional house arrest,” questioning: “In 90 days, if his health improves, does he go back to the place where his health was worsening?”. Lawyer Paulo Cunha Bueno called the re-evaluation “singularly innovative”. PL allies are optimistic about extension and see a boost for Flávio's campaign with greater Michelle influence. The decision drew international coverage from outlets like The Guardian and El País, noting its temporary nature and Bolsonaro's history of violations.