Justice Alexandre de Moraes extended the house arrest of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday [1].
The decision maintains strict legal constraints on the former leader while acknowledging medical needs raised by his legal team. This ruling ensures Bolsonaro remains under state surveillance during ongoing legal proceedings in Brazil.
Moraes, a justice of the Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF), ruled that the house arrest should continue because there had been no serious misconduct during the term of the measure [2]. The justice said the continued house arrest was a humanitarian measure [3].
As part of the ruling, Bolsonaro must continue wearing an electronic ankle monitor [4]. The court also determined that the former president will lose his right to carry weapons and ordered the seizure of 11 registered firearms [5].
"Since there has been no serious misconduct during the fulfillment of the house arrest, revocation is not justified," Moraes said [2].
Bolsonaro remains at his residence, which has been colloquially referred to as “Papudinha” [6]. The decision follows an endorsement from the Procuradoria-Geral da República (PGR) and a specific request from the defense regarding health concerns [3].
“"Since there has been no serious misconduct during the fulfillment of the house arrest, revocation is not justified,"”
The extension of house arrest indicates that the Brazilian judiciary views the restrictions as necessary for legal stability, while the humanitarian exception for medical care prevents a transition to full incarceration. The seizure of firearms further limits the former president's autonomy and removes potential security risks as his legal challenges continue.
