BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro left a hospital in capital Brasilia on Thursday, a week after he underwent a double hernia surgery. A car took the embattled ex-leader back to the federal police headquarters where he is serving his 27-year prison sentence for leading a coup d'etat aimed at keeping him in office.
Hospital DF Star confirmed Bolsonaro was released after some other minor medical procedures after the double hernia surgery that was completed without complications.
Brazil’s Supreme Court approved the release of the former president, who governed from 2019 to 2022, for the surgery.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who sentenced Bolsonaro to prison, denied the former president’s request for house arrest after he leaves the hospital.
Bolsonaro has undergone several other medical procedures since he was stabbed in the abdomen during a campaign rally in 2018.
Bolsonaro has no contact with the few other inmates at the federal police headquarters in Brasilia, where he is held and where his 12-square-meter (around 130-square-foot) room has a bed, a private bathroom, air conditioning, a television and a desk.
In December, Bolsonaro shook Brazilian politics again by appointing his eldest son, Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, to become his political party’s presidential candidate in next year’s election, challenging incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Neither Flávio Bolsonaro nor former first-lady Michelle Bolsonaro made comments about the former leader returning to prison after his hospitalization.
Michelle Bolsonaro said in her social media channels that “there is a Brazil of good people which loves you and prays for you.”
“We will beat the bad days,” she wrote.
Bolsonaro and several of his allies were convicted in September by a panel of Supreme Court justices of attempting to overthrow Brazil’s democratic system following his 2022 election defeat.
The plot included plans to kill Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and de Moraes. There was also a plan to encourage an insurrection in early 2023.
Bolsonaro was also convicted on charges that include leading an armed criminal organization and attempting the violent abolition of the democratic rule of law. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Follow the AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
The shadow of a supporter of former President Jair Bolsonaro is cast on an image of him displayed outside the hospital where he was transported from prison for surgery the next day, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
Erling Haaland and Manchester City were frustrated in a 0-0 draw at Sunderland on Thursday, leaving Arsenal with a four-point lead at the halfway stage of the Premier League season.
Liverpool couldn't manage a goal against a promoted team, either, laboring to a 0-0 draw against Leeds at Anfield.
The stalemates highlighted the strength in depth in England's lucrative top flight.
They also maybe showed why Arsenal has been able to forge clear after 19 of 38 games in its bid for a first league title since 2004, with City and Liverpool — the dominant forces in English soccer over the last decade — having lost their old fluency going forward.
There were draws all round on a low-scoring night, with Tottenham held 0-0 at Brentford and Fulham scoring in the 80th minute to finish 1-1 at Crystal Palace.
City was on an eight-match winning run in all competitions but stumbled against an opponent that has drawn against Arsenal and beaten Newcastle at its Stadium of Light home over the last two months.
Haaland had opportunities either side of halftime against stubborn Sunderland but couldn't add to his league-high 19 goals for the campaign.
Indeed, it was substitute defender Josko Gvardiol who came closest for City, flicking a shot against the post and having a header saved from point-blank range.
Spain star Rodri, the former Ballon d'Or winner, made his return for City after two months out with a hamstring injury when he came on as a halftime substitute.
Liverpool extended its unbeaten run to eight games but underwhelmed again amid key absences up front.
Hugo Ekitike's misdirected header from in front of goal in the first half was the only clear-cut chance at Anfield for Liverpool, which lacked inspiration in attack with Alexander Isak injured and Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Liverpool stayed in fourth and is 12 points behind Arsenal in a disappointing title defense.
Since a 4-1 home loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Nov. 26, Liverpool has played seven games in the Premier League — winning four of them and drawing the other three. It has struggled to find much fluency, however, with Liverpool manager Arne Slot placing extra emphasis on being tighter at the back after the team's early season woes.
“This season multiple times we have conceded a goal in a game like this and that’s a positive thing today,” Slot said.
The other result in the recent undefeated streak was a victory at Inter Milan in the Champions League.
Jean-Philippe Mateta headed Palace in front against Fulham, only for Tom Cairney to equalize for the visitors.
That left Palace without a win in six matches in all competitions, with the absence of regulars like Daniel Munoz, Chris Richards (both injured) and Ismaila Sarr (at the Africa Cup) hitting hard.
Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Fulham's Tom Cairney (right) celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during their English Premier League soccer match against Crystal Palace in London, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Jordan Pettitt/PA via AP)
Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Sunderland's Nordi Mukiele, right, in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Manchester City in Sunderland, England, Thursday Jan. 1, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
Sunderland's Brian Brobbey, left, and Manchester City's Ruben Dias in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Manchester City in Sunderland, England, Thursday Jan. 1, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister reacts at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Leeds United in Liverpool, England, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai, left, and Leeds' Gabriel Gudmundsson challenge for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Leeds United in Liverpool, England, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool's manager Arne Slot, left, passes the ball to Liverpool's Andrew Robertson during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Leeds United in Liverpool, England, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike controls the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Leeds United in Liverpool, England, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike, right, and Leeds' James Justin, center, challenge for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Leeds United in Liverpool, England, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
