Brazil’s Bolsonaro sentenced to over 27 years for coup plot
Brazil’s Supreme Court has sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison after finding him guilty
BRASILIA, Brazil (MNTV) – Brazil’s Supreme Court has sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison after finding him guilty of plotting a coup to stay in power following his 2022 election loss to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Bolsonaro, who governed from 2019 to 2022, has denied wrongdoing and remains under house arrest in Brasília. He can still appeal the verdict.
Four of the five justices on the panel ruled against him on five charges, including attempting to overthrow democracy and leading a criminal organization. Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw the case, said Bolsonaro “orchestrated every possible move to maintain or seize power,” while Justice Carmen Lucia called him the instigator of the plot. Justice Luiz Fux dissented, saying a coup cannot be inferred from “isolated acts” without coordination.
The ruling has sharpened political divides and sparked protests from Bolsonaro’s supporters, who claim he is being persecuted. His sons, Senator Flavio and lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, criticized the decision, with Eduardo urging Congress to grant an amnesty.
The U.S. government reacted swiftly. President Donald Trump said he was “very unhappy” with the conviction, praising Bolsonaro as “outstanding.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the trial a “witch hunt,” warning Washington would respond. The Trump administration has already imposed steep tariffs on Brazilian goods over the proceedings.
Legal experts said Bolsonaro’s team is expected to seek clarification motions and possibly appeal to the full Supreme Court, though major reversals are seen as unlikely. The court has up to 60 days to publish its ruling, after which Bolsonaro’s lawyers will have five days to act.
Prosecutors accused the former leader of conspiring to subvert democratic order after his defeat, including links to violence and threats to state institutions. Lula, speaking ahead of the verdict, said “hundreds of pieces of evidence” showed Bolsonaro sought to topple Brazil’s democratic rule.
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