RIO DE JANEIRO — Former President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday temporarily left prison in the capital of Brazil, where he is serving his sentence 27 year sentence for an attempted coup, for medical examination at a local hospital after falling out of bed.
Police escorted Bolsonaro, 70, from federal police headquarters in Brasilia to the nearby DF Star hospital, where he arrived around noon for three brain tests.
At around 4:30 pm local time (19:30 GMT), Bolsonaro's wife Michelle said on Instagram that the exams had been completed and the results were awaiting. According to her, her husband returned to prison.
Bolsonaro fell in his cell on the night of Monday to Tuesday while sleeping. His wife and Bolsonaro's son Carlos said on social media Tuesday that the far-right politician needed medical attention and expressed disappointment that Bolsonaro was not sent to hospital the day after the fall.
In his decision allowing the trip to the hospital on Wednesday, Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes cited a health report compiled by federal police on Tuesday. According to the report, Bolsonaro reported a minor head injury. On examination the former Brazilian The leader appeared to be conscious and of sound mind, with a superficial cut on his face.
De Moraes authorized CT scans, brain scans and brain wave tests requested by Bolsonaro's lawyers. A Supreme Court judge said his transfer to hospital should be done with “discretion” and that federal police were responsible for Bolsonaro's safety and his return to prison.
Bolsonaro previously left the hospital and returned to prison last Thursday, a week after surgery to remove a double hernia.
Bolsonaro and several of his allies were convicted in September by a group of Supreme Court judges in an attempt to overthrow Brazil's democratic system following his defeat in the 2022 elections.
The plot included plans to assassinate Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and de Moraes. There was also a plan to encourage an uprising in early 2023.
Bolsonaro was also convicted on charges including leading an armed criminal organization and attempting to violently overturn the democratic rule of law. He denies any wrongdoing.
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