Jair Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Attempted Coup After 2022 Election Loss
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup and leading a criminal organization after his 2022 election defeat.
Bolsonaro's conviction reveals a divided Brazil
The Spectator World
Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years for Plotting Coup
Political Wire
Bolsonaro sentenced to over 27 years in prison for coup attempt
Washington Examiner
Overview
- Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to over 27 years in prison by the Supreme Court for his alleged role in a failed coup attempt after his 2022 election loss.
- He was found guilty on multiple counts, including leading a criminal organization and attempting to abolish democratic rule following his presidential election defeat.
- The charges stem from his supporters storming government buildings in Brasília, aiming to pressure the army into a coup against President Lula.
- This landmark conviction, a first for an ex-president in Brazil, bars Bolsonaro from elections until 2030 and places him under house arrest.
- Bolsonaro's legal team plans to appeal the verdict, asserting the crimes are "fabricated," while his congressional allies are seeking amnesty.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by consistently portraying Jair Bolsonaro as a definitive threat to Brazilian democracy, emphasizing his conviction for a coup plot as a historical and necessary outcome. They use strong, evaluative language to describe his actions and political movement, highlighting the Supreme Court's role in safeguarding democratic institutions against his alleged attacks.
"Even before the trial ended, his allies in Congress began negotiating a proposal of amnesty for his crimes that could be voted in the next few weeks."
BBC News"The conviction is a landmark ruling for Latin America’s largest nation."
Political Wire"Bolsonaro has always denied wrongdoing."
Associated Press"The majority of a panel of Brazilian Supreme Court justices on Thursday voted to convict former President Jair Bolsonaro of attempting a coup to remain in office despite his 2022 electoral defeat, in a ruling that will deepen political divisions and likely prompt a backlash from the U.S. government."
CBS News"This ruling is likely to divide the country further."
BBC News"The ruling makes Bolsonaro the country’s first former leader to be convicted for trying to undermine democracy."
Semafor"Bolsonaro's conviction marks the nadir in his trajectory from the back benches of Congress to forge a powerful conservative coalition that tested the limits of the country's young democratic institutions."
USA TODAY"The verdict is historic: It marks the first time a former Brazilian head of state has gone on trial for attempting to overthrow the government."
NPRArticles (27)
FAQ
Jair Bolsonaro was convicted on multiple counts including attempting a coup, leading a criminal organization, attempting violent abolition of democratic rule, involvement in violence, and posing a serious threat to state assets.
The charges stemmed from Bolsonaro supporters storming government buildings in Brasília on January 8, 2023, aiming to pressure the army into a coup against President Lula.
The conviction bars Bolsonaro from participating in elections until 2030 and places him under house arrest.
Brazil is deeply polarized; Bolsonaro’s supporters have protested the verdict and government, while supporters of President Lula held counterprotests defending democracy and supporting Bolsonaro’s imprisonment.
Former US President Donald Trump called Bolsonaro a friend and described the prosecution as a 'witch hunt,' expressing surprise at the Brazilian Supreme Court's decision.
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