The minister of the (Federal Supreme Court) granted house arrest to the former minister. The decision was taken this Monday (22). Heleno went to court for attempting a coup d’état.
“The adoption of humanitarian house arrest appears to be reasonable, appropriate and proportionate, especially because, in addition to serious health problems and advanced age, there is not, and has never been to date, any risk of escape caused by the behavior of the prisoner”, says Moraes in his decision.
Heleno must wear an electronic ankle bracelet and hand over his passport. Furthermore, Moraes prohibited visits, with the exception of his lawyers and his medical team, as well as people previously authorized by the STF. The former minister is also prohibited from any communication by telephone, cell phone or social media.
Failure to comply with any of these items will result in Heleno returning to the closed regime. “The convicted person must previously request authorization to travel for health reasons, with the exception of urgent and emergency situations, which must be justified, within 48 hours, after the respective medical act”, determines the decision.
The Army leadership, as revealed by the Sheet.
Heleno’s defense presented in the process a timeline according to which the general has had a psychiatric history since 2018 (severe depressive disorder), with remission in 2020, returned to presenting symptoms of anxiety and cognitive complaints in 2022, started to record progressive memory failures throughout 2023; he underwent a neuropsychological evaluation in 2024, which already suggested a dementia process.
After specialized exams, such as MRI, cerebrospinal fluid and cognitive tests, he was only diagnosed with mixed dementia (Alzheimer’s and vascular) in January 2025.
As a result, Minister Alexandre de Moraes determined earlier this month. Today’s decision comes after forensics confirmed the former general’s diagnosis.
Former president Jair Bolsonaro is also awaiting a decision from Moraes on his medical situation. His defense asked for surgery to correct a problem in his intestine. The STF is waiting for Bolsonaro’s lawyers to present a date for the procedure to be carried out.
