BRASILIA, Sept 11 – Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison after being convicted by a panel of Supreme Court justices on Thursday. The ruling marked a historic moment in Brazil as Bolsonaro became the first former head of state to be found guilty of attempting a coup to remain in power following his defeat in the 2022 elections.
The panel, made up of five justices, reached its decision with four members voting in favor of conviction. Bolsonaro was found guilty on five counts, including leading an armed organization, attempting to abolish democratic rule, and inciting violence against state institutions. Despite the severity of the verdict, Bolsonaro remains under house arrest in Brasilia while his legal team prepares an appeal. According to court procedures, the ruling will be officially published within 60 days, after which his lawyers will have five days to request clarifications or file motions with the full Supreme Court, which includes all eleven justices.
Bolsonaro has consistently denied wrongdoing and did not appear in court during the proceedings. On Thursday morning, he was spotted outside his home but declined to speak to the press. The trial, however, has been closely followed both domestically and internationally, fueling debates across Brazil’s deeply divided political landscape. Supporters see the decision as part of what they claim is political persecution, while his opponents argue it is a necessary step in holding leaders accountable for undermining democracy.
Justice Cármen Lúcia, one of the four justices who voted for conviction, emphasized the evidence presented by the Attorney General’s Office. “He is the instigator, the leader of an organization that orchestrated every possible move to maintain or seize power,” she declared. Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw much of the case, also underscored Bolsonaro’s role as the figurehead of the attempted coup, describing him as the commander of a coordinated plot against democratic institutions.
Justice Luiz Fux stood alone in dissent, arguing for acquittal. In his view, the evidence did not meet the threshold required to prove Bolsonaro’s guilt. “No one can be punished for mere cogitation,” Fux stated. “A coup d’état results from organized, strategic actions, not from isolated acts or scattered demonstrations without coordination.” His position highlighted the ongoing legal and political debate surrounding the extent of Bolsonaro’s responsibility.
The court also reviewed videos presented during the trial showing Bolsonaro at rallies between 2021 and 2023, where he challenged the legitimacy of the Supreme Court and encouraged mass mobilizations. These videos were accompanied by footage of the violent riots on January 8, 2023, when government buildings in Brasília were stormed by his supporters. Prosecutors argued that Bolsonaro’s rhetoric and leadership directly contributed to those events, framing him as a driving force behind the unrest.
International reactions began surfacing almost immediately after the ruling. U.S. President Donald Trump, a close political ally of Bolsonaro, expressed sharp disapproval of the decision. Speaking before his departure from the White House, Trump described Bolsonaro as “outstanding” and called the ruling “very bad for Brazil.” Hours later, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X that Washington would “respond accordingly to this witch hunt,” raising speculation about possible diplomatic repercussions between Brazil and the United States.
Inside Brazil, the verdict has already intensified polarization. Crowds gathered in support of Bolsonaro, demanding his release and denouncing the trial as politically motivated. Meanwhile, others applauded the Supreme Court for defending the rule of law and preventing authoritarian overreach. The case has heightened tensions between Bolsonaro’s loyalists in Congress and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration, particularly as Bolsonaro’s allies prepare to push for a potential amnesty measure through legislative channels.
President Lula, who defeated Bolsonaro in the 2022 election, spoke earlier in the day before the ruling. He said the evidence against his predecessor was overwhelming. “Bolsonaro attempted a coup in this country, and there are hundreds of pieces of evidence,” Lula remarked during a television interview. His comments reinforced the stance of prosecutors, who charged Bolsonaro with attempting to illegally cling to power, organizing an armed movement, and threatening the constitutional order.
Bolsonaro’s family has also weighed in. His son, lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, took to social media to avoid directly addressing the conviction, instead calling for an amnesty effort in Congress. “It is time to do nothing less than what is correct, just,” he wrote, rallying his father’s supporters to push for legislative intervention. Former First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro echoed sentiments of faith, writing that “there is a God in heaven who sees everything, who loves justice and hates iniquity.”
Despite the court’s ruling, Bolsonaro remains an influential figure in Brazilian politics. Although he has already been barred from holding public office until 2030 due to a separate ruling, his enduring popularity among segments of the electorate positions him to shape the country’s political future. Analysts suggest he may soon anoint a political heir to carry his movement forward against Lula’s government in next year’s elections.
The conviction not only marks a significant moment in Brazil’s judicial history but also sets the stage for potential diplomatic friction abroad and deeper polarization at home. As Bolsonaro’s legal team moves forward with appeals, Brazil now finds itself confronting a delicate balance between upholding democratic accountability and managing a society split over the legacy of one of its most controversial leaders.