- Jair Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years and 3 months in prison for plotting a military coup
- Convicted by Brazil’s Supreme Court with a 4–1 vote; barred from political office until 2033
- Coup attempt failed but sparked the Jan 8, 2023 storming of government buildings
Jair Bolsonaro, former President of Brazil, has been sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison after being convicted of leading a plot to stage a military coup following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election.
A five-member panel of Brazil’s Supreme Court handed down the sentence just hours after convicting Bolsonaro. Four justices voted to convict, with one dissenting.
The court found Bolsonaro guilty of orchestrating a conspiracy to remain in power, despite losing to leftist rival Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He was also barred from holding public office until 2033.
His legal team condemned the sentence as “absurdly excessive” and announced plans to appeal. However, legal experts say appeals may be difficult unless at least two justices had voted to acquit, which was not the case.
Currently under house arrest, Bolsonaro did not appear in court for the final hearing. He previously claimed the trial was politically motivated, designed to prevent his candidacy in 2026 — a run he was already barred from due to earlier convictions. He has repeatedly dismissed the charges as part of a “witch hunt.”
International Reactions and Political Fallout
The conviction sparked strong international reactions. Former U.S. President Donald Trump called the verdict “very surprising,” comparing it to legal challenges he has faced.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the ruling, labeling it unjust and threatening repercussions, calling the process a “witch hunt.”
Brazil’s Foreign Ministry responded sharply, stating on social media that such threats “will not intimidate our democracy” and accused Rubio of undermining the judicial process.
Charges and Plot Details
Bolsonaro, 70, was found guilty of five charges linked to his efforts to overturn the 2022 election results. Prosecutors said he began plotting well before the vote, including attempts to persuade military leaders to back a coup and spreading unfounded claims about the electoral system.
Evidence also suggested Bolsonaro had knowledge of a plot to assassinate Lula, his running mate, and a Supreme Court justice.
Seven of his alleged co-conspirators, including two former defense ministers, a former spy chief, and a former security minister, were also convicted.
Though the coup attempt ultimately failed to gain sufficient military support, it culminated in the January 8, 2023, storming of government buildings by Bolsonaro supporters — an event reminiscent of the U.S. Capitol riots. Over 1,500 people were arrested, and order was soon restored.
Justices Warn of Authoritarian Threat
Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw the trial, warned that Brazil narrowly avoided a return to authoritarianism, saying:
“Brazil almost returned to its 20-year dictatorship because a criminal organisation doesn’t know how to lose elections.”
Justice Cármen Lúcia, whose vote secured the majority, compared the coup plot to a virus threatening democracy:
“There is no immunity to authoritarianism.”
The lone dissenter, Justice Luiz Fux, delivered an 11-hour speech in defense of Bolsonaro, arguing the accusations were baseless.
