Brazilian high court imposes 27-year prison sentence on ex-president Bolsonaro for coup plotting
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Brazil has sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison for attempting a coup to remain in office after his 2022 electoral defeat in Brazil.
The trial, which has divided Brazilian society, saw Bolsonaro charged with counts including attempting to stage a coup, being part of an armed criminal organization, and attempting violent abolition of the democratic rule of law in Brazil. His co-conspirators, all former Brazilian officials, were also sentenced for their roles in the attempted coup in Brazil.
The verdict follows a series of accusations against Bolsonaro, who faced allegations of attempting to illegally hang onto power after his defeat to current President Luiz Inacio Lua da Silva in Brazil. The trial has been a contentious issue, with some backing the process against the former president and others still supporting him. Some have even taken to the streets to support Bolsonaro, who contends he is being politically persecuted in Brazil.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the case, said Tuesday that Bolsonaro was the leader of a coup plot and of a criminal organization, and voted in favor of convicting him. Four of the five justices reviewing the case found Bolsonaro guilty.
The sentence does not mean Bolsonaro will immediately go to prison. The court panel has up to 60 days to publish the ruling, and his lawyers have five days to file motions for clarification after that. If the ruling stands, it will mark a significant moment in Brazilian politics, as it is the first time a former President, a former Defense minister, and a former military commander are being punished for attempting to stop an elected government from taking office in Brazil.
The decision has sparked international reactions. The U.S. government, under former President Trump, announced the imposition of punitive tariffs on Brazil in response to the Supreme Court's decision. Trump called Bolsonaro 'outstanding' and expressed his displeasure with the conviction, framing it as a geopolitical move to pressure Brazil and criticizing the judicial process as a 'witch hunt' that should end immediately.
Despite his legal woes, Bolsonaro remains a powerful political player in Brazil, and it is expected that he will choose an heir who is likely to challenge Lula in the general elections next year. His son, lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, is seeking amnesty for his father through Congress.
The sentence has been met with mixed reactions in Brazil. Former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro expressed support for her husband on social media, stating that there is a God in heaven who sees everything, who loves justice and hates iniquity. On the other hand, Lindbergh Farias, the Workers' Party leader in the lower house, stated that the trial should bury the discussion about amnesty in Congress.
As the political landscape in Brazil continues to evolve, the conviction and sentencing of Bolsonaro will undoubtedly have lasting implications for the country's democracy and its future.
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