Brazil’s Supreme Court Orders Former President to Serve 27-Year Prison Term
Court rejects appeal after conviction for plotting to overturn 2022 election; Bolsonaro to serve sentence at federal police facility
BRASÍLIA, Nov 26: Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to begin serving a 27-year prison sentence, following his conviction for attempting to remain in power after losing the 2022 presidential election.
On Tuesday, the court rejected an appeal filed by Bolsonaro’s lawyers and directed that he serve his sentence at a federal police facility in Brasília, where he is already being held. Bolsonaro was arrested on Saturday after authorities said he tampered with the ankle monitor issued during his house arrest. He claimed medications triggered “hallucinations” and “paranoia,” causing him to fear the device was being used to spy on him.
His legal team had sought permission for him to serve the sentence under house arrest, citing ongoing health complications from a 2018 stabbing attack, but the court denied the request after the monitor-tampering incident. Lawyers say they plan to submit further medical documentation once Bolsonaro begins serving the term.
In September, the Supreme Court convicted Bolsonaro and seven associates of conspiring to overturn the 2022 election results and assassinate President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva before he assumed office. Prosecutors said Bolsonaro and his inner circle spent months destabilising public trust in Brazil’s electoral system. Their plans allegedly included dissolving the Supreme Court, annulling election outcomes, and empowering the military with sweeping authority.
Bolsonaro had been under house arrest since August, monitored closely due to concerns he might attempt to flee.
In the United States, former President Donald Trump, a longtime ally, responded briefly to Bolsonaro’s arrest, saying, “That’s too bad.” When asked for further comment, Trump declined.
Washington initially sought to pressure Brasília by imposing tariffs of up to 50% on select Brazilian imports while urging the government to drop charges against Bolsonaro. In recent days, however, the U.S. administration has softened its stance, granting additional tariff exemptions and reopening diplomatic dialogue with Brazil.
