Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years behind bars for coup attempt
A panel of justices from the Brazilian Supreme Court delivered a sentence of 27 years and three months in prison to former president Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday. This decision came after he was convicted of attempting a coup to maintain his position despite his electoral defeat in 2022. Bolsonaro, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, is presently under house arrest in Brasilia. He has the option to appeal the ruling.
In a significant ruling, four of the five justices on the panel determined that the far-right politician was guilty on five counts. This decision is poised to exacerbate political divisions and is expected to elicit a strong response from the United States government. Bolsonaro stands as the first former Brazilian president to be convicted of attempting a coup. US President Donald Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the conviction, stating that he was very unhappy with the outcome. As he left the White House, he addressed reporters, stating, “I always found Bolsonaro to be outstanding.” The statement does not imply that he will be sent to prison right away. The court panel is now tasked with the responsibility of publishing the ruling within a timeframe of up to 60 days. Once it occurs, Bolsonaro’s legal team is granted a period of five days to submit motions seeking clarification.
Justice Crmen Lcia expressed her conviction regarding the evidence presented by the Attorney General’s Office against the former president. “He is the instigator, the leader of an organisation that orchestrated every possible move to maintain or seize power,” she said. Sen. Flvio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of the former president, expressed that the conviction represented a supreme persecution, asserting that history would ultimately reveal they were on the right side. The trial has captured the attention of a society that is deeply divided, with some individuals rallying behind the legal proceedings against the former president, while others continue to express their unwavering support for him. Demonstrators have gathered in support of the far-right leader, who asserts that he is a victim of political persecution. Bolsonaro’s trial has garnered renewed attention following Trump’s assertion that a 50 percent tariff on imported Brazilian goods is connected to his ally’s legal predicament, which he described as a witch hunt. Observers indicate that the United States may be poised to announce new sanctions against Brazil following the trial, which could further exacerbate their already fragile diplomatic relations.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the case, stated on Tuesday that Bolsonaro was the leader of a coup plot and a criminal organization, and he cast his vote in favor of convicting him. Lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, one of the sons of the former president, took to his social media platforms on Thursday to discuss his father. However, rather than addressing his father’s conviction, he advocated for his amnesty, which he is pursuing through Congress. It is imperative to undertake nothing short of what is right and just, he stated. Bolsonaro continues to be a significant political presence. Fux, in his dissenting opinion on Wednesday, expressed his disagreement with de Moraes and the other two justices. “No one can be punished for cogitation,” Fux stated. A coup d’état does not arise from isolated acts or individual demonstrations that lack coordination; instead, it emerges from the actions of organized groups, armed with resources and the strategic capacity to confront and replace the existing power. On Thursday, Lcia cast a vote to convict Bolsonaro of organized crime related to the purported coup attempt. Lcia permitted de Moraes to pause her voting process and present multiple videos depicting Bolsonaro addressing thousands of supporters from 2021 to 2023, where he encouraged them to take action against the Supreme Court. De Moraes presented footage depicting the damage within the court’s headquarters following the riots on January 8, 2023.
Bolsonaro confronted allegations of attempting to unlawfully retain power following his electoral defeat in 2022 to the current President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Prosecutors have brought charges against Bolsonaro that encompass a range of serious allegations. These include attempting to orchestrate a coup, involvement in an armed criminal organization, and the attempted violent overthrow of democratic governance. Additionally, he is implicated in acts of violence and poses a significant threat to state assets and recognized heritage. Lula stated in an interview, “Bolsonaro attempted a coup in this country, and there is hundreds of pieces of evidence,” ahead of the trial. Bolsonaro has already been barred from running for office. In spite of his legal challenges, Bolsonaro continues to be a significant force in Brazil’s political landscape. The far-right politician had previously faced a ban from running for office until 2030 due to a separate case. He is anticipated to select an heir who is poised to contest President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the upcoming year. The ruling could prompt lawmakers allied with Bolsonaro to pursue some form of amnesty for him via Congress.
Following the court panel’s discussions regarding Bolsonaro’s sentence, the beleaguered former leader may encounter heightened pressure to select a political successor who could potentially contest Lula in the upcoming general elections next year. “There is a God in heaven who sees everything, who loves justice and hates iniquity,” former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro expressed on social media.
