Natalie Nyathi
Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil, has been sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison after being convicted of plotting a military coup to overturn the results of the 2022 election. The landmark ruling, delivered by Brazil’s Supreme Court, marks the first time a former president has been convicted of attempting to undermine the country’s democracy.
The five-justice panel found Bolsonaro guilty on multiple charges, including leading a criminal organization, attempting to violently abolish democracy, and organizing a coup. Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw the case, stated that Bolsonaro was the leader of a criminal structure that sought to plunge Brazil back into dictatorship, with the plot unfolding between July 2021 and January 2023. Justice Cármen Lúcia Antunes Rocha denounced the attempt to “sow the malignant seed of anti-democracy” and celebrated how Brazil’s institutions had survived and were fighting back.
While four of the justices voted to convict, Justice Luiz Fux dissented, arguing that the accusations against Bolsonaro were unfounded. This dissent could potentially open a path for appeals. Bolsonaro’s lawyers have already stated that the sentence was “absurdly excessive” and that they would file the appropriate appeals.
Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest, has consistently denied the allegations, claiming they are part of a political witch hunt designed to prevent him from running in the 2026 presidential election. Even before this conviction, Bolsonaro was barred from running for office until 2030 due to spreading misinformation about Brazil’s voting system.
The trial has deeply divided Brazilian society, with supporters of Bolsonaro taking to the streets to protest what they believe is political persecution. His supporters are expected to continue fighting to rescue their leader from jail, with strategies including electing right-wing senators to impeach Supreme Court members, petitioning Donald Trump for pressure, and ensuring a pro-Bolsonaro candidate wins the 2026 election.
The conviction has drawn strong reactions from the international community. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, a close ally of Bolsonaro, has called the case a “witch hunt” and expressed his unhappiness with the verdict. The Trump administration had previously imposed tariffs on Brazilian goods, sanctioned Justice Alexandre de Moraes, and revoked visas for members of Brazil’s high court in an attempt to pressure them to drop the case.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also criticized the ruling, stating that the U.S. would “respond accordingly to this witch hunt.” In response, Brazil’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement asserting that it would not be intimidated by foreign threats and that Brazilian democracy would prevail.
The conviction of Jair Bolsonaro is a watershed moment in Brazilian history. It marks the first time a former president has been found guilty of attempting to overthrow the government and underscores the fragility of democratic institutions in the face of political extremism.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes framed the trial as a turning point for Brazilian democracy, but analysts suggest that Congress could potentially undo some of the court’s work. The Supreme Court also convicted seven of Bolsonaro’s allies, including former military officers, sending a strong message that attempts to subvert democracy will be met with consequences.
The case is seen as a test for Brazil’s strategy of protecting its democracy against attacks from the far-right, and its outcome will likely shape the country’s political landscape for years to come.