Brazil’s Supreme Court (STF) has approved a request from former president Jair Bolsonaro to leave prison temporarily for a surgery scheduled on Christmas Day. Bolsonaro has been detained since his arrest earlier this year, facing various legal and political challenges in the country.
The former leader’s health issues reportedly stem from a stabbing incident during his 2018 election campaign, in which he was attacked by an assailant identified as a communist. The injury has contributed to ongoing stomach problems, prompting the decision for surgical treatment.
The court’s approval allows Bolsonaro to leave detention briefly for the procedure, but details regarding the length of his medical leave or post-surgery protocols have not been disclosed. Supporters and critics alike are observing the development closely, given Bolsonaro’s prominence in Brazil’s political landscape.
This decision comes amid a complex legal environment for Bolsonaro, who remains a significant figure within Brazil’s political discourse. The surgery is expected to be a routine medical procedure, but its timing over the holiday period has attracted public attention.