The ex-president faces a potential multi-decade prison term for his role in a conspiracy to annul the 2022 election results after his defeat.
Brazil’s highest judicial body, the Supreme Court, has found former President Jair Bolsonaro guilty of efforts to subvert the nation’s 2022 general election. This judgment could see the politician imprisoned for many decades for orchestrating a criminal plot.
The final decision materialized on Thursday, as the third judge from the five-member bench declared Bolsonaro guilty on all five charges. Bolsonaro’s accusations included orchestrating a coup d’etat, engaging with an armed criminal organization, attempting to forcibly dismantle Brazil’s democratic system, causing damage to protected public property, and carrying out violent acts against governmental institutions.
Prosecutors assert that the coup conspiracy commenced in 2021 with efforts aimed at eroding public confidence in Brazil’s electoral framework. Following Bolsonaro’s 2022 electoral defeat, it was alleged that his supporters were encouraged to converge on the capital, Brasilia, culminating in the invasion and vandalism of the nation’s three government branches on January 8, 2023.
Bolsonaro and his co-defendants throughout the proceedings have denied any culpability. This guilty verdict implies that the 70-year-old former president could face incarceration for multiple decades. The Supreme Court panel is anticipated to deliberate on sentencing once all justices have cast their votes.
The proceedings have already generated friction with the United States, particularly after former President Donald Trump described it as a “witch hunt” and implemented substantial 50% tariffs on goods from Brazil. The Trump administration additionally sanctioned Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, citing what it deems “serious human rights violations,” and announced visa restrictions targeting him and other court officials in relation to Bolsonaro’s trial.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has denounced Trump’s efforts to exert pressure on Brazil over the trial through the imposition of tariffs. He further accused the US of having “aided in staging a coup” and vowed that this would not be forgotten.