Bolsonaro Faces Imminent Imprisonment After Court Rejects Appeal

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is on the brink of imprisonment after the Supreme Court rejected his appeal against a 27-year sentence linked to a failed coup attempt. The ruling, delivered on Friday, marks a significant moment in Brazil’s turbulent political landscape, where Bolsonaro’s actions following the 2022 elections have come under intense scrutiny.

Bolsonaro, who lost the presidential race to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, was convicted in September 2022 for attempting to undermine the electoral process. Prosecutors highlighted plans that included an intention to assassinate Lula and a prominent Supreme Court judge. The coup effort reportedly faltered due to a lack of backing from top military officials.

A Supreme Court panel unanimously decided to uphold Bolsonaro’s sentence last week, although the official announcement was delayed until midnight on Friday. A court source, speaking anonymously, indicated that once the ruling is published—potentially as soon as Monday—Bolsonaro’s defense team will have five days to file a new appeal. Nonetheless, this appeal could be swiftly dismissed by Alexandre de Moraes, the lead judge overseeing the case, who will also determine the specifics of Bolsonaro’s arrest.

Legal experts suggest that following the publication of the final judgment, it is common for an arrest warrant to be issued on the same day. Thiago Bottino, a professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation Law School, stated that the former president could find himself behind bars in the last week of November, contingent on procedural timelines.

Bolsonaro, aged 70, has remained under house arrest since August due to health concerns stemming from a stabbing incident in 2018. He may seek to serve his sentence at home, citing these health issues.

The charges against Bolsonaro outlined serious allegations, including attempts to delegitimize the voting process and instigate a military intervention should Lula emerge victorious. Prosecutors also revealed a plot to kill not only Lula but also his vice president, Geraldo Alckmin, and Judge Moraes. An audio message released by the Supreme Court featured a federal police agent, Wladimir Soares, asserting that a hit squad was ready to act, pending orders from Bolsonaro.

In his ruling, Judge Moraes reaffirmed that there was substantial evidence of a deliberate coup attempt orchestrated by Bolsonaro. He noted that Bolsonaro’s involvement in the January 8 assault on Congress and other democratic institutions showcased a clear intent to disrupt the democratic process. Moraes emphasized the severity of the crimes and the former president’s culpability, stating that Bolsonaro’s age had already been factored into the sentencing.

Additionally, the court panel voted to advance a criminal case against Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, a federal lawmaker currently residing in the United States. He faces charges of coercion for attempting to lobby for U.S. sanctions aimed at influencing the outcome of his father’s coup trial.

As Brazil grapples with the fallout from Bolsonaro’s presidency, the implications of this court decision could resonate throughout the nation, shaping its political future in the coming years.