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Brazil's Supreme Court sentences ex-president Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison in coup plot case
Jair Bolsonaro risks spending the rest of his life in prison after four out of five judges voted to convict him of plotting a coup after losing 2022 election.
Brazil's Supreme Court on Thursday sentenced firebrand ex-president Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison after convicting him of plotting a coup.The 70-year-old risks spending the rest of his life behind bars after four out of five judges voted to convict him of plotting to overthrow Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who defeated him in the 2022 presidential election. The far-right politician was guilty on five counts.
While the charges carried a maximum sentence of 43 years in prison, the justices took into account Bolsonaro’s age and ongoing health problems in determining the punishment.
US President Donald Trump reacted to the conviction and said that he was “very unhappy” with it. Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House, he said he always found Bolsonaro to be “outstanding.”
The conviction, he added, is “very bad for Brazil.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio took a different tone and said that Washington will "respond to the unjust” verdict without specifying what that response would be.
Lawyers for Bolsonaro have said they will appeal the verdict to the full Supreme Court of 11 justices. The 70-year-old former president, who has denied any wrongdoing, is currently under house arrest.
What next after Jair Bolsonaro's sentencing?
Jair Bolsonaro’s trial got renewed attention after Donald Trump linked a 50 percent tariff on imported Brazilian goods to his ally’s legal situation, calling it a “ witch hunt.” Observers say the Trump administration might announce new sanctions against Brazil after the trial, further straining the fragile diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The far-right politician was previously banned from running for office in Brazil until 2030 in a separate case. He is expected to choose an heir who will likely 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.
