Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was found guilty in a coup attempt case. He was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison. Bolsonaro is the first Brazilian president to be convicted of attempting to organize a coup after leaving office. He has been under house arrest since early August. There were seven other defendants in the case, including several former ministers. All were found guilty.
There will be an appeal, but it is unlikely to change the decision
The possibilities for appealing the decision are limited, as the Brazilian Supreme Court - the highest court in the country's judicial system - ruled. Bolsonaro's lawyers have already said they will appeal - the only options for this are in cases of formal inaccuracies or in cases where all the supreme judges are not unanimous. This is the case with this decision. Judge Luis Fuchs voted against declaring Bolsonaro guilty, arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction over the case. According to him, the case should have been considered by lower courts, since Bolsonaro is no longer president.
However, it is considered unlikely that the decision will be changed. Its official entry into force will be postponed until shortly before the presidential elections in 2026.
What led to this trial
Bolsonaro was accused of planning a coup against the government of his successor, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The court believes that he planned, together with the army and his supporters, to declare a state of emergency and call new elections after he lost. Ultimately, however, Bolsonaro failed to win over the military leadership to his side.
Shortly after Lula took office - on January 8, 2023 - Bolsonaro supporters stormed Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidency in Brazil. Bolsonaro was also allegedly informed of plans to assassinate Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alcmi and Judge Alessandri de Morais.
There is convincing evidence that Bolsonaro was the head of a criminal organization and that, together with key figures in the government, the armed forces and the secret services, he developed a plan to attack the rule of law and annul the results of the 2022 elections, federal judge Carmen Lucia said.
Historic trial
Bolsonaro himself has always denied any wrongdoing. His son Flavio again called the trial ”political persecution” after the verdict was announced.
Bolsonaro's actions are unprecedented in Brazilian history. However, this is the first conviction for a coup attempt and the first time that members of the armed forces have been put on trial. According to federal judge Alexandre di Morais, the case also sets a precedent in the current political climate around the world, where democracy is facing increasing challenges.
Tensions with the United States
The case against Bolsonaro has caused tension between President Lula da Silva and Donald Trump, who considers Bolsonaro an ally and even imposed sanctions on Judge Di Morais. Now the American president has called the court's decision ” surprising”.
At the same time, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that there would be a ” proportionate response” from the United States. In July, Washington imposed a 50% tariff on Brazil because of the trial against Bolsonaro. After the verdict was announced, supporters of the former president gathered outside his home in the capital, Brasilia. Some prayed to God for support. Others prayed to the American president.