Former Brazil President Sentenced to 27 Years Over Attempted Military Coup
- Brazil’s Supreme Court has sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to over 27 years in prison for his role in an attempted military coup following his 2022 election defeat
- The ruling, which also convicted seven of Bolsonaro’s close allies, has sparked fierce political backlash and international controversy
- Bolsonaro’s legal team has vowed to appeal, while allies in Congress push for an amnesty bill amid mounting tensions with the United States
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison following a landmark ruling by Brazil’s Supreme Court.
The decision came after four out of five justices voted to convict him on charges linked to an attempted military coup aimed at overturning the 2022 election results.
Source: Getty Images
Justice Carmen Lucia stated that Bolsonaro acted “with the purpose of eroding democracy and institutions,” underscoring the gravity of the charges. The court found him guilty of five offences, including leading a “criminal organisation” to conspire against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s administration.
Justice Luiz Fux stood alone in dissent, voting to acquit the 70-year-old politician of all charges. Bolsonaro, currently under house arrest, had faced a maximum sentence of 40 years.
Bolsonaro’s legal team plans appeal
Bolsonaro’s legal team swiftly responded to the ruling, announcing plans to challenge the sentence. Fabio Wajngarten, a close aide, posted a statement on social media declaring: “The defense considers the sentences handed down to be incredibly excessive and disproportionate and… will file the appropriate appeals, including at the international level.”
Despite being barred from running for office until 2030 due to previous electoral violations, Bolsonaro has insisted he will campaign in the 2026 presidential race.
Outside his father’s residence in Brasilia, lawmaker Flavio Bolsonaro defended the former president, saying he was “holding his head high in the face of this persecution, because history will show that we are on the right side.” He added that Bolsonaro’s allies would use “all their might” to push for an amnesty bill in Congress.
Seven co-conspirators also convicted
The Supreme Court also handed down convictions to seven of Bolsonaro’s alleged co-conspirators.
Those sentenced included his 2022 running mate and former defence minister Walter Braga Netto, former Defence Minister Paulo Sergio Nogueira, aide-de-camp Mauro Cid, military adviser Augusto Heleno Ribeiro, former Justice Minister Anderson Torres, former naval chief Almir Garnier Santos, and ex-police officer Alexandre Ramagem.
Sentencing surprise and legal uncertainty
Al Jazeera’s Lucia Newman, reporting from Brasilia, described the sentencing as “extremely significant and also a surprise.” She noted that the final guilty verdict was delivered shortly before the sentencing was calculated, which had originally been scheduled for Friday.
“We have to keep very much in mind that this may or may not happen immediately,” Newman said. “Bolsonaro’s lawyers and that of the other seven co-defendants still have some legal wiggle room here.” She added that Bolsonaro’s congressional supporters had already submitted an amnesty law in hopes of reversing the convictions.
Trump condemns verdict, imposes tariffs
United States President Donald Trump reacted sharply to the ruling, calling the trial a “witch-hunt.” In retaliation, Trump imposed 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian imports, sanctioned presiding judge Alexandre de Moraes, and revoked visas for most members of Brazil’s high court.
He described the verdict as “very surprising,” and praised Bolsonaro as a “good president” and “good man,” comparing the legal proceedings to his own experiences.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Trump’s sentiments, stating: “The political persecutions by sanctioned human rights abuser Alexandre de Moraes continue, as he and others on Brazil’s supreme court have unjustly ruled to imprison former President Jair Bolsonaro.”
Brazil’s Foreign Ministry issued a firm rebuttal, asserting that the country would not be intimidated by Rubio’s “threats.” The ministry defended the integrity of its judicial process and rejected claims of political persecution.
Tinubu to depart Abuja to Brazil
Legit.ng earlier reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will participate in the 19th meeting of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is coming a few hours after Tinubu hosted the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi at the Presidential Villa.
Tinubu will depart Abuja for South American country, Brazil on Sunday, November 17. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, made this known in a statement.
The Presidential aide said Tinubu is attending the meeting at the instance of the Brazilian President and current President of G20 Leaders, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Source: Legit.ng
