Day: September 11, 2025

Brazil Court Sentences Ex-President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 Years for Coup Plot

In a landmark ruling on September 11, 2025, a Brazilian court sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for orchestrating a coup plot aimed at thwarting the inauguration of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva after the 2022 election, reports 24brussels.

The conviction, delivered by the Supreme Federal Court (STF), followed a critical vote in which four justices found that Bolsonaro collaborated with government members, intelligence agencies, and military personnel to undermine democracy. The court confirmed that he had, in effect, attempted to subvert the democratic order.

Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who presided over the trial, asserted that Bolsonaro sought “the perpetuation of his political group in power, regardless of democratic and republican norms.” He emphasized Bolsonaro’s intent to dismantle the foundational elements of democracy through violence and threats against judicial institutions.

The STF’s decision reflected a split vote, with Judge Luiz Fux opposing the majority. Moraes recommended a sentence of 27 years and 3 months for multiple offenses, including armed criminal association and attempted violent abolition of the rule of law. Additionally, Bolsonaro’s former aide Mauro Cid received a two-year semi-open prison sentence for his cooperation with authorities.

Moraes firmly rejected the defense team’s call for acquittal and denounced proposals for amnesty, stating, “A pardon is not admissible, nor is an amnesty. They are constitutional clemency.” This strong stance signals the judiciary’s commitment to uphold democratic principles in Brazil.

General Walter Braga Netto, who previously served as Chief of Staff and Minister of Defense, was sentenced to 26 years and 6 months, while former Minister of Justice Anderson Torres received a 24-year sentence. Bolsonaro’s associates faced similar penalties, underscoring the widespread ramifications of the coup attempt, which culminated in the storming of government buildings in Brasília on January 8, 2023.

Amidst the aftermath, the Supreme Court noted the severity of the crimes committed, particularly highlighting the violent nature of the assaults against historic national sites. Bolsonaro’s actions and those of his supporters present a pivotal moment in Brazil’s ongoing struggle to fortify democratic governance.