Verdict and Sentencing in Coup Trial approaching for Jair Bolsonaro: Brazil's Supreme Court to decide on Ex-President's fate, possibly leading to prolonged imprisonment, fueling national division.
In the heart of Brasilia, the Brazilian Supreme Court is set to commence deliberations on the coup attempt charges against former President Jair Bolsonaro on September 2, 2025. The trial revolves around accusations that Bolsonaro orchestrated attempts to undermine the 2022 presidential election and disrupt Brazil's democratic order.
Recent allegations have emerged, accusing Bolsonaro and his son of obstructing the investigation into this coup trial. The Supreme Court headquarters was also raided by a mob of Bolsonaro supporters in January 2023, an incident that evoked comparisons to the insurrection attempt by Trump supporters on January 6, 2021.
However, no verified involvement of United States President Donald Trump in the coup trial has been found in the latest reports. The focus remains on Bolsonaro's actions within Brazil without confirmed links to Trump.
Bolsonaro has been under house arrest since August 4. His son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, has been vocal in defending his father and calling for sanctions on his own country following his father's alleged coup attempt. In a recent development, Eduardo Bolsonaro met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week as part of his campaign to secure sanctions against officials linked to the trial of his father.
The case against Bolsonaro includes accusations of attempting a coup, participation in an armed criminal organization, and attempting violent abolition of the democratic order. More than half of Brazilians reject the idea that Bolsonaro is being politically persecuted, according to a recent Datafolha poll.
The verdict will be delivered between September 2 and 12. The trial includes two counts linked to destruction of state property, and there are also accusations that the plot involved plans to kill Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a frequent target of Bolsonaro's supporters.
The rioting by Bolsonaro supporters in January 2023 also prompted comparisons to Brazil's 1964 military coup, a dark era that Bolsonaro has openly praised. The Supreme Court of Brazil will deliver a verdict and sentence in the coup trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro early next month.
Trump, in a statement, linked a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian imports to his ally's legal battle, calling the proceedings a "witch hunt" and describing Bolsonaro as an "honest man" facing "political execution". A recent Datafolha poll found more than half of Brazilians support the decision to place Bolsonaro under house arrest.
The Trump administration has sanctioned Justice de Moraes and imposed further trade restrictions on Brazil. The US Treasury cancelled a meeting with Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad without offering a new date.
Two separate five-justice panels operate within Brazil's top court, and the verdict will be delivered after thorough consideration of the evidence presented. The outcome of this trial is expected to have significant implications for Brazil's political landscape.
- The Supreme Court of Brazil is examining accusations against former President Jair Bolsonaro and his son Eduardo, who are alleged to have obstructed the investigation into the coup trial.
- The trial of Jair Bolsonario involves charges of attempting a coup, participating in an armed criminal organization, and attempting to violently abolish the democratic order.
- Following his father's alleged coup attempt, Eduardo Bolsonaro has been vocal and met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week to campaign for sanctions against officials connected to the trial.
- Comparisons have been drawn between the rioting by Bolsonaro supporters in 2023 and significant events such as the insurrection attempt by Trump supporters in 2021 and Brazil's 1964 military coup, a period Bolsonaro openly admires.
