Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, reported that his father experienced severe, consecutive hiccuping episodes on 16/9, causing him to "stop breathing for nearly 10 seconds", followed by serious vomiting. The former president was subsequently taken to the hospital. "My father is stable but doesn't look well," Flavio said.
Prison guards were also present at the hospital. Bolsonaro's wife, Michelle, said he received medication and had to stay overnight for further observation.
This is Bolsonaro's second hospitalization since the Supreme Court sentenced him and 7 accomplices on 11/9 for crimes including participating in an armed criminal organization, orchestrating a coup, attempting to abolish the democratic system through violence, and damaging state property.
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Former president Jair Bolsonaro leaves the DF Star hospital in Brasilia on 14/9. Photo: AFP |
Former president Jair Bolsonaro leaves the DF Star hospital in Brasilia on 14/9. Photo: AFP
Bolsonaro received a sentence of 27 years and 3 months. His lawyers have stated they will appeal, and he will not be imprisoned until the appeal process is complete.
The former president has repeatedly denied all allegations related to the riots. He has been under house arrest at his Brasilia residence since early August for violating a ban on publicly threatening officials.
Following his sentencing, Bolsonaro went to the hospital on 14/9 to address skin lesions and submit a biopsy. His personal physician, Dr. Claudio Birolini, reported that the former leader was "quite weak" and mildly anemic, likely due to poor nutrition over the past month.
He has undergone multiple surgeries in recent years due to complications from a 2018 stabbing during his presidential campaign.
His lawyers cited health issues as the reason for his absence during the trial. While awaiting the appeal outcome, Bolsonaro's allies in Congress are pushing for a pardon to prevent his imprisonment.
In the 2022 election, Bolsonaro lost to Lula da Silva by a margin of 50.9% to 49.1%, the narrowest in modern Brazilian history. Bolsonaro did not concede but did not obstruct the transfer of power to Lula.
A week after Lula's inauguration, pro-Bolsonaro protesters marched in Brasilia and stormed the Brazilian Congress, Supreme Court, and Presidential Palace, rioting and vandalizing. Security forces later suppressed the riots, arresting approximately 1,500 people.
Huyen Le (AFP, AP)
