Brazil's Bolsonaro sentenced to over 27 years for coup plot
Iran Press TV
Friday, 12 September 2025 5:25 AM
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison after being convicted of plotting to remain in power following his 2022 election defeat.
The ruling, issued by Brazil's Supreme Court, marks the first time a former president has been convicted for undermining democracy in the country.
A panel of five justices found Bolsonaro guilty of participating in an armed criminal organization, attempting to abolish democracy by force, organizing a coup, and damaging state property. Four judges voted to convict, while one dissented, questioning the court's jurisdiction.
The sentence adds to Bolsonaro's mounting legal troubles. In 2023, Brazil's electoral court barred him from office until 2030 after ruling that he had spread false claims about the country's electronic voting system. His lawyers described the latest sentence as "absurdly excessive" and vowed to appeal.
Bolsonaro, a former army captain who often praised Brazil's 1964-1985 military dictatorship, rose from a long career in Congress to the presidency in 2018. His tenure was marked by clashes with institutions, controversial handling of the pandemic, and disputes over Amazon deforestation. He left office in January 2023 after losing to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The conviction extends beyond Bolsonaro. Seven of his allies, including military officers, were also found guilty, in what analysts describe as a rare rebuke of attempts to use the armed forces to challenge civilian rule.
The divided ruling leaves open possible challenges. Justice Luiz Fux's dissent could provide grounds for appeal, potentially delaying the case's conclusion as the 2026 presidential election approaches. Despite his legal setbacks, Bolsonaro has repeatedly claimed he intends to run in that contest.
Reactions quickly followed. US President Donald Trump, a close ally of Bolsonaro, described the ruling as "a terrible thing" and said it was "very bad for Brazil."
His son Eduardo Bolsonaro, a congressman, suggested the US could impose additional sanctions on Brazil and its high court justices.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Trump's stance, posting on X that the court had "unjustly ruled" and calling the trial a "witch hunt." He warned Washington would "respond accordingly."
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry criticized Rubio's remarks as a threat to national sovereignty, adding, the comment "attacks Brazilian authority and ignores the facts and the compelling evidence in the records." The ministry noted that Brazil's decmocracy will not be intimidated by Washington.
Speaking following the conviction, President Lula dismissed concerns over possible new sanctions by the US.
President Trump has repeatedly defended Bolsonaro. He has compared Bolsonaro's case to his prosecution over the January 6 Capitol attack and accused President Lula of mistreating his political rival, calling the proceedings an "international disgrace."
The US administration has taken direct measures against Brazil's judiciary. The State Department sanctioned Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is presiding over Bolsonaro's trial, accusing him of politicizing prosecutions.
De Moraes and unnamed associates, including relatives, were barred from US visas, and any American assets they may hold were frozen.
Trump also escalated trade tensions, announcing a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian imports in August. He argued the decision was linked to "attacks on free elections" in Brazil, though official data shows Washington already enjoys a $28.6 billion trade surplus with the country.
President Lula denounced the tariffs as "authoritarian" but refrained from retaliating. Analysts say the measures reflect an unusual attempt by Washington to exert pressure over Brazil's internal judicial process, further straining ties between the two countries.
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