Share

Wounded Brazil presidential hopeful moved to Sao Paulo

Brazil's right-wing presidential frontrunner Jair Bolsonaro was transferred on Friday to a hospital in Sao Paulo, a day after being stabbed while campaigning, a hospital official said.

"Patient Jair Messias Bolsonaro recently left... and went to the Albert Einstein hospital," a spokesperson for the Santa Casa de Juiz de Fora hospital said.

Bolsonaro underwent surgery on Thursday for multiple wounds to his mid-section and was listed in stable condition after the attack in the southeastern city of Juiz de Fora.

The attack was the latest bizarre twist in a presidential race in which the most popular candidate, former president and leftist hero Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, is trying to run from prison.

The Supreme Court disqualified Lula on Thursday. First round voting is scheduled for October 7.

Images shared on social media and Brazilian television showed Bolsonaro being carried on the shoulders of a throng of supporters, before a man lunges at his stomach.

A witness told police the attacker held a knife wrapped up in a shirt and attacked Bolsonaro as the group hoisting him walked by.

The attacker was arrested immediately and identified as Adelio Bispo de Oliveira, 40 – said to have been a member of the left-leaning PSOL party.

After his arrest, Bispo de Oliveira said he was "carrying out a divine mission, a mission from God", said Luis Boundens, head of a union of federal police officers.

Authorities are investigating the suspect's mental health, he added.

KEEP UPDATED on the latest news by subscribing to our FREE newsletter.

- FOLLOW News24 on Twitter

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do airplane mishaps have any effect on which airline you book your flights with?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, these things happen. I pick based on price
50% - 422 votes
Yes, my safety matters. I don't take any chances
50% - 426 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
19.12
+0.4%
Rand - Pound
23.77
-0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.46
-0.0%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.38
-0.0%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.4%
Platinum
923.40
-0.8%
Palladium
1,027.50
+1.2%
Gold
2,318.78
-0.4%
Silver
27.14
-0.2%
Brent-ruolie
87.00
-0.3%
Top 40
68,071
+0.9%
All Share
74,030
+0.7%
Resource 10
59,635
-2.1%
Industrial 25
102,751
+1.7%
Financial 15
15,918
+1.9%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE