Brazil Supreme Court sentences US-backed Bolsonaro to over 27 yrs in prison for coup attempt
The majority of a panel of Brazilian Supreme Court justices voted to convict former president Jair Bolsonaro, in a ruling that will deepen political divisions and likely prompt a backlash from the United States government.
PTI
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Despite his legal woes, Bolsonaro remains a powerful political player in Brazil. Photo: ANI
Brasilia, 11 Sept
A panel of Brazilian Supreme Court justices sentenced former president Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison Thursday after convicting him of attempting a coup to remain in office despite his 2022 electoral defeat.
The majority of a panel of Brazilian Supreme Court justices voted to convict former president Jair Bolsonaro, in a ruling that will deepen political divisions and likely prompt a backlash from the United States government.
Bolsonaro is currently under house arrest in Brasilia. He can appeal the sentence. Four of the five justices reviewing the case in the panel found the far-right politician guilty on five counts.
US President Donald Trump said hours later that he was “very unhappy” with the conviction. Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House, he said he always found Bolsonaro to be “outstanding.”
Bolsonaro’s lawyers had said that they will appeal the verdict to the full Supreme Court of 11 justices.
The former president, who has denied any wrongdoing, has not attended the court and has sent his lawyers.
The trial has been followed by a divided society, with some people backing the process against the former president, while others still support him. Some have taken to the streets to back the far-right leader.
Bolsonaro's trial got renewed attention after US President Donald Trump linked a 50 per cent tariff on imported Brazilian goods to his ally's legal situation, calling it a “ witch hunt.” Observers say the US might announce new sanctions against Brazil after the trial, further straining their fragile diplomatic relations.
Bolsonaro faced accusations he attempted to illegally hang onto power after his 2022 electoral defeat to current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Prosecutors charged him with a total of five charges. They include attempting to stage a coup, being part of an armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, as well as being implicated in violence and posing a serious threat to the state's assets and listed heritage.
Despite his legal woes, Bolsonaro remains a powerful political player in Brazil.
The far-right politician had been previously banned from running for office until 2030 in a separate case. He is expected to choose an heir who is likely to challenge President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva next year.
The ruling may push Bolsonaro's allied lawmakers to seek some amnesty for him through Congress.
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