Former Brazil President Bolsonaro’s health improves, Prosecutors push for house arrest

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been shifted to a regular hospital room in Brasilia as he recovers from pneumonia, his doctors said Monday, signalling an improvement in his condition .

The 71-year-old leader, who governed Brazil from 2019 to 2022, was hospitalized on March 13 after falling ill at the Papuda penitentiary. He was placed in semi-intensive care three days later. Doctors said there is no fixed discharge date , though his recovery is progressing.

The medical update came hours after Attorney General Paulo Gonet recommended that Bolsonaro be allowed to serve his sentence under house arrest rather than return to prison. In his submission to the Supreme Court, Gonet cited the former president’s health condition , suggesting home confinement with electronic monitoring .

The decision now rests with Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who presided over Bolsonaro’s case and has yet to issue a ruling.

Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence after being convicted for his role in an alleged coup attempt in 2023 . Prosecutors said he and his allies sought to overturn the 2022 election results and undermine democratic institutions.

The case centres on accusations that Bolsonaro encouraged supporters to challenge the election outcome and was linked to unrest targeting government buildings in early 2023 , actions investigators said aimed to subvert Brazil’s constitutional order .

In addition to the coup-related conviction, Bolsonaro has faced multiple legal challenges , including allegations of abuse of power and spreading misinformation about the electoral system.

His family and political allies have repeatedly sought house arrest on medical grounds . Monday’s recommendation by the attorney general has strengthened those calls, with the final decision pending before the Supreme Court.