Brazilian Supreme Court says Bolsonaro can leave prison to undergo surgery

"Justice Alexandre de Moraes has approved a request for the ex-president to leave prison for hernia treatment. The Brazilian Supreme Court has approved a request from former President Jair Bolsonaro to temporarily leave prison for a medical procedure later this week. Justice Alexandre de Moraes said on Tuesday that Bolsonaro, serving a 27-year prison sentence for participation in a coup plot, can undergo hernia surgery on Thursday."

"Bolsonaro's lawyers had requested that he be transferred to Hospital DF Star in the capital, Brasilia, for medical tests on Wednesday and surgery the next day. Doctors said a hernia was causing him pain in both sides of his groin. The ex-president has undergone a series of hospitalisations and medical procedures since being stabbed in the abdomen during a campaign event in 2018."

"His hospital visit will be the first time he has departed from federal custody since beginning his sentence towards the end of November. The court ordered the police to continue monitoring Bolsonaro 24 hours a day. The far-right leader was scheduled to speak to the news outlet Metropoles on Tuesday, but cancelled the interview due to health reasons. Since Bolsonaro's imprisonment, there has been speculation that his eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, could succeed him as the leader of the country's political right."

Justice Alexandre de Moraes approved a temporary release for Jair Bolsonaro to undergo hernia surgery scheduled for Thursday. Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year prison sentence for participation in a coup plot. Lawyers requested transfer to Hospital DF Star in Brasilia for medical tests on Wednesday and surgery the next day. Doctors said a hernia was causing him pain on both sides of his groin. The hospital visit will be his first departure from federal custody since beginning his sentence at the end of November, and the court ordered 24-hour federal police monitoring. Bolsonaro cancelled a scheduled interview citing health reasons.

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