Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered the transfer of former President Jair Bolsonaro from the federal police headquarters in Brasilia to a prison complex where he will enjoy "more favorable conditions." 

At the prison, the 70-year-old will have a 54-square-meter (581-square-foot) room with a 10-square-meter outside area that he can access at will.

The new cell is much bigger than the 12-square-meter-room he had been in previously. It includes a ​bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen and a living room, the court said.

The 70-year-old former leader will also have increased time for family visits.

Furthermore, physiotherapy equipment, such as a treadmill and a bicycle, will be installed.

Not a 'hotel stay or a vacation colony'

The move comes after repeated complaints from Bolsonaro's family about the conditions of his detention. 

They said Bolsonaro was being mistreated and not getting adequate medical attention.

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes denied the accusations.

The judge said Bolsonaro was convicted of extremely serious crimes and that his custodial sentence was not a "hotel stay or a vacation colony."

He also said, "There has been a systematic attempt to delegitimize the regular and lawful execution of the custodial sentence of Jair Messias Bolsonaro."

Push for house arrest

The former president is serving a 27-year prison sentence for orchestrating a failed coup following his 2022 election loss to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Bolsonaro has always denied wrongdoing.

His lawyers have been pushing for a transfer to house arrest on medical grounds.

Since starting his sentence, Bolsonaro has made several trips to a nearby hospital.

Earlier this month, he underwent tests after a fall in prison, but no serious injury was revealed.

Lula vetoes bill to reduce Bolsonaro's jail term

Brazil's Congress late last year passed a bill that would have reduced Bolsonaro's time in jail from 27 years to two.

But President Lula vetoed the legislation on January 8.

Lawmakers will still have the final say, as Congress has the right to override his veto.

Brazilians will go to the polls to elect a new president in October, and Lula is seeking a fourth term.

Bolsonaro, meanwhile, has anointed his eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, as his political heir and presidential candidate.

Edited by: Sean Sinico