Brazil's ex-president Bolsonaro hospitalized for inguinal hernia surgery

BRASILIA, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was admitted to the DF Star Hospital in the capital Brasilia on Wednesday morning, where he will undergo surgery for an inguinal hernia.

The procedure, scheduled for Thursday, was recommended by private physicians and experts from the Federal Police with authorization from Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Federal Court.

Bolsonaro, 70, was taken to the hospital under police custody. His hospitalization is taking place in an isolated area of the hospital, separate from other patients.

By order of the Supreme Federal Court, he is under constant surveillance, with officers stationed 24 hours a day outside his hospital room, and additional security personnel inside and outside the hospital.

In September, he was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison for an attempted coup. ■