"Brazil's Bolsonaro Handed 27-Year Prison Term for Masterminding Coup"

Brazil's Ex-President Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Coup Plot A Brazilian Supreme Court panel has sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison for plotting a military coup after losing the 2022 presidential election. The ruling, which also bars him from public office until 2033, marks a significant blow to Bolsonaro's efforts to maintain power and influence in Brazilian politics. According to multiple sources, including BBC World and Deutsche Welle, the court found Bolsonaro guilty of five charges related to the coup plot, with four out of five justices voting against him. The former president was accused of leading a conspiracy aimed at keeping himself in power after his loss to left-wing rival Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The sentencing comes just hours after the Supreme Court convicted Bolsonaro on Thursday, September 11, 2025. Justice Carmen Lucia, who issued the decisive third vote, framed the case as a "meeting between Brazil and its past, its present, and its future," referring to previous attempts at military intervention in Brazilian politics. Bolsonaro's lawyers have vowed to appeal the conviction, including at an international level. However, experts say the ruling is a significant victory for democracy in Brazil. "This verdict sends a strong message that those who seek to undermine democratic institutions will be held accountable," said Dr. Maria Luisa Mendonça, a Brazilian political scientist. The coup plot allegations against Bolsonaro have been widely reported since 2022, with many accusing him of attempting to stay in power despite his electoral defeat. The Supreme Court's ruling has sparked reactions from international leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who have expressed skepticism about the verdict. Bolsonaro is currently being held in house arrest due to concerns that he may flee the country. According to Deutsche Welle, a Brazilian judge declared him a flight risk earlier this year. The sentencing marks a significant turning point in Bolsonaro's post-presidency, which has been marred by controversy and allegations of corruption. The former president's supporters have vowed to continue fighting for his cause, but experts say the ruling is a major blow to their efforts. As Brazil looks to move forward from this tumultuous period, many are breathing a sigh of relief that justice has been served. "This verdict is a victory for democracy and a reminder that those who seek to undermine our institutions will be held accountable," said Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the current President of Brazil. The next steps in the case remain unclear, but experts say Bolsonaro's lawyers are likely to appeal the conviction at an international level. For now, the former president faces a lengthy prison sentence and a permanent ban from public office until 2033. This story was compiled from reports by BBC World, Deutsche Welle, NPR Politics, BREAKING: BBC Breaking, BREAKING: BBC Breaking and BREAKING: BBC Breaking.