Brazil’s Supreme Court has handed former President Jair Bolsonaro a sentence of 27 years and three months in prison after finding him guilty of plotting to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election.
Bolsonaro, a far-right leader, lost the election to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva but was accused alongside allies of orchestrating a coup attempt in a bid to remain in power. Prosecutors also charged him with several other offenses tied to the alleged conspiracy.
On Thursday, the court ruled unanimously against Bolsonaro, imposing both a lengthy prison sentence and a fine. The verdict marks one of the most dramatic moments in Brazil’s democratic history, holding a former head of state accountable for what judges described as an attack on the country’s institutions.
The decision has sparked outrage among Bolsonaro’s supporters. His son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, denounced the ruling on social media, describing it as a “supreme persecution.”
Internationally, the case has drawn mixed reactions. Former U.S. President Donald Trump—who has maintained close ties with Bolsonaro—condemned the trial, calling it political persecution. Trump also imposed steep tariffs on Brazilian imports following the conviction, claiming the court’s actions echoed the legal challenges he has faced in the United States.
“I knew him as president of Brazil. He was a good man,” Trump said, adding: “That’s very much like they tried to do with me.”
The ruling not only deepens Brazil’s political divides but also raises questions about the country’s democratic stability amid intensifying polarization.
Discover more from Scoop Hub
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.