Brazil’s Supreme Court has sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison after convicting him of plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election results. The 70-year-old far-right leader was found guilty on five counts, including attempting to overthrow President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government.
Four of the five justices voted to convict Bolsonaro, who has long denied any wrongdoing. While prosecutors initially sought a longer term, the court factored in Bolsonaro’s age and health conditions when deciding the sentence. Though the charges carried a potential maximum of 43 years, the ruling still leaves Bolsonaro at risk of spending the rest of his life behind bars.
Bolsonaro’s lawyers announced they will appeal the decision before the full Supreme Court of 11 justices. The former president remains under house arrest during the appeal process. He had already been banned from running for public office until 2030 in a separate ruling.
The conviction is expected to deepen Brazil’s political divisions. Supporters in Congress may push for an amnesty effort, while Bolsonaro is expected to name a political successor to challenge President Lula in the next election. The case also carries international weight, with U.S. officials expressing contrasting reactions to the verdict.
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