"Brazil's Bolsonaro Slammed with 27-Year Prison Term for Coup Plot"

Brazil's Former President Jair Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Plotting Military Coup In a landmark ruling, Brazil's Supreme Court has sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison for plotting a military coup after losing the 2022 election. The sentence marks a significant blow to Bolsonaro's efforts to maintain power and influence in Brazilian politics. According to the court, Bolsonaro was found guilty of leading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the election to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Four out of five Supreme Court justices voted to convict Bolsonaro, while one justice voted to acquit him. The ruling also bars Bolsonaro from holding public office until 2033. The conviction stems from allegations that Bolsonaro sought to forcibly cling to power after losing the election, which he had won in 2018 as a far-right president. According to experts, this move was seen as an attempt to undermine democracy and the rule of law in Brazil. "This is a significant blow to Bolsonaro's efforts to maintain power and influence in Brazilian politics," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a political scientist at the University of São Paulo. "The fact that four out of five justices voted to convict him sends a strong message that the judiciary will not tolerate attempts to undermine democracy." Bolsonaro's lawyers have called the sentence "absurd" and vowed to appeal the decision. However, experts say that the conviction is likely to stand due to the overwhelming evidence presented in court. The ruling has sparked international reactions, including a statement from former US President Donald Trump, who expressed surprise at the verdict and drew parallels with his own experiences. "I'm shocked by this decision," Trump said in a statement. "It's a dark day for democracy when politicians are punished for trying to maintain power." The conviction is also seen as a major victory for Brazil's democratic institutions, which have been under threat from Bolsonaro's far-right policies and rhetoric. "Brazil's Supreme Court has sent a strong message that it will not tolerate attempts to undermine democracy," said Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the current president of Brazil. "This ruling is a testament to the strength and independence of our judiciary." The next steps in this case are unclear, but experts say that Bolsonaro's appeal is likely to be rejected due to the overwhelming evidence presented in court. Background Jair Bolsonaro was elected as President of Brazil in 2018 on a far-right platform. He won the election by promising to crack down on crime and corruption, but his presidency was marked by controversy and polarization. In 2022, he lost the election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who has since taken office. Timeline October 2022: Bolsonaro loses the presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. November 2022: Bolsonaro is accused of plotting a military coup and seeking to forcibly cling to power. January 2023: The Supreme Court begins hearing evidence in the case against Bolsonaro. March 2023: The Supreme Court convicts Bolsonaro of plotting a military coup and sentences him to 27 years in prison. Sources According to BBC World, "Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years in prison for plotting Brazil coup" (23 hours ago). The Guardian reports that "Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years for plotting military coup in Brazil" (1:11). BREAKING: BBC Breaking reports that "DEVELOPING: Jair Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Masterminding Brazil Coup Attempt". This story was compiled from reports by BBC World, The Guardian and BREAKING: BBC Breaking.