Brazil's Supreme Court Denies Jair Bolsonaro House Arrest Request in 2026

He's out of the palace and into a cell, and that's where he'll stay for now. Brazil's highest court just slammed the door on former President Jair Bolsonaro's latest attempt to trade his prison bunk for a bed at home. Despite pleas regarding his failing health, the judiciary remains firm on his 27-year sentence for attempting to overturn the 2022 election results.

The Court’s Stance on Bolsonaro’s House Arrest Denial

On January 1, 2026, Justice Alexandre de Moraes rejected the defense's petition for house arrest on humanitarian grounds. According to Reuters, the defense argued that the 70-year-old former leader's life was at risk due to aggressive hiccups and a hernia. However, the court ruled that Bolsonaro has access to round-the-clock medical care in federal custody. Justice De Moraes noted that the former president's clinical condition actually showed improvement after elective surgeries, contradicting claims of a worsening state.

Political Shockwaves and International Pressure

Bolsonaro's imprisonment remains a flashpoint in Brazilian politics. While he's serving time for five counts including attempted coup d'etat, his influence hasn't waned. His son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, has already announced plans to challenge President Lula da Silva in the upcoming October election. Internationally, the situation is tense; U.S. President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on Brazil in August 2025 to protest the prosecution, labeling it a silencing of a political rival. Meanwhile, the Brazilian Congress recently passed a bill to shorten his sentence, though a veto from the executive branch is expected.