Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison after Brazil’s Supreme Court convicted him of plotting a coup to remain in power following his 2022 election defeat to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Four of five justices found him guilty of leading a criminal organisation and attempting to erode democratic institutions. Justice Luiz Fux dissented, voting to acquit. Justice Cármen Lúcia said evidence proved Bolsonaro acted “with the purpose of eroding democracy and institutions.”
The 70-year-old, currently under house arrest, faced up to 40 years. His lawyers described the ruling as “excessive and disproportionate” and vowed to appeal both domestically and internationally.
The court also convicted seven close allies, including ex-running mate Walter Braga Netto, former Defence Minister Paulo Sérgio Nogueira, ex-aide Mauro Cid, and ex-Justice Minister Anderson Torres.
Although barred from elections until 2030 for spreading false claims about Brazil’s voting system, Bolsonaro insists he will contest the 2026 presidency. His son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, said his father was “holding his head high in the face of persecution” and vowed to push for an amnesty bill in Congress.
The verdict drew global attention. Former U.S. President Donald Trump called the trial a “witch-hunt,” imposed new tariffs on Brazil, and sanctioned presiding judge Alexandre de Moraes. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also condemned the ruling, while Brazil’s Foreign Ministry replied it would not be intimidated by “thr+ats.”
Bolsonaro, a former army captain, has long praised Brazil’s military dictatorship and rose to power in 2018 on anti-establishment ang£r. His refusal to accept defeat in 2022 raised fears of democratic backsliding. The ruling is expected to fuel unrest, with thousands of supporters already protesting in Brasilia.
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