In brief
Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered former president Jair Bolsonaro to commence a prison sentence of 27 years and three months for his role in a coup plot aimed at retaining power after losing the 2022 election. Detained since Saturday, Bolsonaro will serve his sentence in a federal police jail amid ongoing concerns over his health and claims of a 'witch hunt' against him. Alongside Bolsonaro, several co-conspirators, including former military officials, are also beginning their sentences. This pivotal ruling comes as Brazil grapples with the consequences of political extremism.
Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered that right-wing former president Jair Bolsonaro begin serving his prison sentence of 27 years and three months for plotting a coup after he lost the last election.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes ruled that the case had reached its final judgement, allowing no further appeals. Bolsonaro, 70, was convicted of leading a conspiracy to maintain his presidency following his 2022 election defeat to left-wing rival Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
He will serve his sentence in a federal police jail cell in Brasilia, having been designated a flight risk and removed from home detention.
At a recent hearing, Bolsonaro admitted to attempting to damage his ankle monitor, attributing his actions to a state of paranoia caused by medication. He stated he had no intentions of fleeing the law.
Justice Moraes has ordered that Bolsonaro receive full-time medical attention as his health condition has reportedly deteriorated.
The Supreme Court judges noted that Bolsonaro was aware of assassination plots against Lula and his vice-presidential candidate, which contributed to his conviction. The attempted coup lacked military support, and Lula was sworn in without incident.
Despite the unrest orchestrated by Bolsonaro supporters on January 8th, which led to the storming of government buildings in Brasília, Lula's administration took office as planned. Following his conviction, Bolsonaro is barred from running for public office until 2060.
Bolsonaro condemned the trial as politically motivated, characterizing it as a 'witch hunt' to undermine his 2026 presidential aspirations. Others involved in his conspiracy, including former military generals, are also beginning their sentences.
