A few days before the end of the initial period of humanitarian house arrest granted to Jair Bolsonaro (PL), a new episode began to occupy the center of discussions in the Federal Supreme Court (STF). This led Minister Alexandre de Moraes to request additional clarifications from the defense and authorized new measures by the Civil Police of the Federal District.
The weapon was in the possession of a soldier linked to Bolsonaro’s security team during a police raid. According to the version presented at the time of the incident, the weapon was being taken for maintenance due to a mechanical defect.
The benefit was granted in March, after Bolsonaro remained hospitalized for treatment of bronchopneumonia. The measure, classified as humanitarian house arrest, is expected to last 90 days and expires next Wednesday (24).
On Friday (19), Moraes ordered that Bolsonaro be heard by the Civil Police of the Federal District about the case. The testimony was scheduled for Tuesday (23), at 3 pm, and should take place in person at the residence where the former president is under house arrest, in Brasília.
When justifying the decision, the minister noted that Bolsonaro is subject to restrictions related to the use of electronic means of communication, which is why he ruled out the possibility of testimony via videoconference. In the same order, Moraes established a 48-hour deadline for the former president’s lawyers to provide additional information on compliance with the measure.
Among the clarifications requested are details about nighttime medical assistance and the routine of the official security team made available to the former president due to his status as former chief executive. The defense must inform whether there is a health professional responsible for monitoring at night and confirm whether security agents leave the residence daily during this period.
In a petition filed with the STF also on Friday, deputy Lindbergh Farias (PT-RJ), deputy leader of the government in the Chamber, called for the revocation of house arrest and the return of Bolsonaro to the prison system. The parliamentarian maintains that recent facts require a reassessment of the benefit conditions.
The former president’s lawyers confirmed to the Supreme Court that the seized pistol belongs to Bolsonaro and is regularly registered in his name. According to the defense, the weapon had been handed over to a security member exclusively to identify the defect and carry out repairs.
Defenders added that advisors previously removed the weapon’s firing pin — an essential part for firing — without Bolsonaro’s knowledge. According to the statement, the decision was made by team members due to the use of psychiatric medications that could compromise the former president’s cognition and increase the risk of a domestic accident.
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The definition of a possible extension of house arrest should occur in the coming days, amidst the analysis of the explanations requested by the STF and the progress of investigations into the seized weapon.
