Brazil's Former President Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Masterminding Coup Attempt
In a landmark ruling, Brazil's Supreme Court has sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for plotting a military coup and seeking to annihilate the country's democracy after losing the 2022 election. The sentence, handed down by justices Cármen Lúcia Antunes Rocha and Cristiano Zanin on Thursday, marks a significant blow to Bolsonaro's efforts to maintain power and influence in Brazilian politics.
According to The Guardian, four of the five judges involved in the trial found Bolsonaro guilty of seeking to forcibly cling to power after losing the election. The ruling also bars him from public office until 2033. This high-profile conviction has sparked international reactions, including skepticism from leaders such as former US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The trial revealed that Bolsonaro, a former paratrooper who was elected president in 2018, had been secretly meeting with military officials to discuss plans for a coup. The plot allegedly involved using the military to seize control of key government institutions and install a new government loyal to Bolsonaro. According to BBC World, this ruling marks "a significant blow to his efforts to maintain power and influence in Brazilian politics."
The sentence is seen as a major victory for Brazil's democracy, which has been under threat since Bolsonaro's election in 2018. His presidency was marked by controversy and polarization, with many critics accusing him of undermining the country's democratic institutions.
"This ruling sends a clear message that those who seek to undermine democracy will be held accountable," said Maria do Carmo, a leading human rights activist in Brazil. "It's a victory for the rule of law and for the people of Brazil."
The sentence is also seen as a significant blow to Bolsonaro's plans to maintain influence in Brazilian politics. According to The Guardian, he had been secretly meeting with military officials to discuss plans for a coup, and his allies have been working to undermine the country's democratic institutions.
Bolsonaro's lawyers have vowed to appeal the sentence, but many experts believe that it will be difficult to overturn. "The evidence against Bolsonaro is overwhelming," said Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a former president of Brazil who has been critical of Bolsonaro's actions. "This ruling is a major victory for democracy and for the people of Brazil."
As the country moves forward, many are left wondering what this means for Brazil's future. "This ruling sends a clear message that those who seek to undermine democracy will be held accountable," said Maria do Carmo. "It's a victory for the rule of law and for the people of Brazil."
This story was compiled from reports by The Guardian and Multi-source: BBC World.
