Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Ex-Brazilian President receives prison sentence of twenty-seven years


(MENAFN) Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro received a prison sentence of 27 years and three months on Thursday after a Supreme Court panel found him guilty of attempting a coup.

Four of the five justices on the panel voted to convict Bolsonaro on all five charges in the landmark case. Justices Carmen Lucia and Cristiano Zanin joined earlier votes from Alexandre de Moraes and Flavio Dino, forming a 4-1 majority. Justice Luiz Fux dissented, voting to acquit Bolsonaro on all charges.

Bolsonaro was convicted of plotting a coup d’état, joining an armed criminal organization, attempting to overthrow Brazil’s democratic system by force, committing violent acts against state institutions, and damaging protected public property during the January 8, 2023, assault on government buildings by his supporters.

Prosecutors stated that the plot included plans to assassinate President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes using explosives, weapons, or poison. Justice Carmen Lucia said the evidence was “conclusive” that Bolsonaro led a “progressive and systematic plan to attack democratic institutions.”

The 70-year-old former president, currently under house arrest, has denied any wrongdoing. His legal team has announced plans to appeal the ruling to the full 11-member Supreme Court.

The verdict prompted reactions abroad, with US President Donald Trump expressing shock when questioned by reporters.

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