A historic event has taken place in Brazil: former President Jair Bolsonaro has been sentenced by the Supreme Court to 27 years in prison for attempting a coup d’état. The decision was made by a panel of five judges on 11 September, according to Reuters.
Bolsonaro became the first former Brazilian president to receive such a harsh sentence for attempting to seize power through force. The politician aged 70 was charged with attempting to remain in power through force after losing the 2022 elections. The judges were not completely in agreement on the sentence, but more votes went towards carrying the sentence.
Throughout the trial, Bolsonaro denied his guilt. He was under house arrest and claimed that the case was politically inspired. His lawyers have already declared that they will appeal the Supreme Court decision.
The verdict has evoked a divided reaction overseas. US President Donald Trump, who is considered a political ally of Bolsonaro, called the prosecution of the former leader a ‘witch hunt.’ According to him, the court’s decision is ‘very bad for Brazil.’
In Brazil itself, there are concerns about retaliatory measures from the US. In particular, an increase in tariffs on Brazilian exports is expected. Speaking on the eve of the verdict, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said that such steps by Washington did not frighten him and that the country was ready for any developments.
