Brazilian Supreme Court Convicts Jair Bolsonaro of Attempted Coup
- Victor Nwoko
- Sep 11
- 2 min read
A majority of Brazilian Supreme Court justices voted Thursday to convict former president Jair Bolsonaro of attempting a coup to remain in power despite his 2022 electoral defeat, marking a historic and divisive ruling that could carry a decades-long prison sentence.
The far-right politician, who governed Brazil from 2019 to 2022, was found guilty on five counts by three of the five justices overseeing the case. Justice Cármen Lúcia delivered her vote Thursday, joining Justice Alexandre de Moraes and another colleague in favor of conviction. Justice Luiz Fux dissented Wednesday, voting to acquit Bolsonaro of all charges. With three votes for conviction, the majority has been secured, though one justice has yet to cast a decision.
Bolsonaro, 70, is the first former Brazilian president convicted of attempting a coup. He remains under house arrest and has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyers announced plans to appeal the decision to the full 11-member Supreme Court.
The panel is expected to debate sentencing Friday. Bolsonaro could face decades in prison if all charges are upheld, including attempting to stage a coup, leading an armed criminal organization, violent abolition of democratic rule, and posing threats to state assets and heritage.
Justice Lúcia said the Attorney General’s Office had presented overwhelming evidence against Bolsonaro. “He is the instigator, the leader of an organization that orchestrated every possible move to maintain or seize power,” she said. Her remarks followed de Moraes’ presentation of videos showing Bolsonaro urging crowds between 2021 and 2023 to reject the Supreme Court, along with footage of the January 8, 2023 riots that left parts of the court’s headquarters destroyed.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who defeated Bolsonaro in 2022, said Thursday that “hundreds of pieces of evidence” proved Bolsonaro’s coup attempt. The verdict has divided Brazilian society, with some citizens backing the conviction and others protesting in support of the former president, who argues he is the victim of political persecution.
The case has also sparked international consequences. U.S. President Donald Trump recently tied a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods to Bolsonaro’s trial, denouncing the proceedings as a “witch hunt.” Observers warn Washington could impose further sanctions on Brazil, straining already tense relations.
Bolsonaro, banned from running for office until 2030 in a separate ruling, remains a major force in Brazilian politics. Analysts believe he may soon anoint a political heir to challenge Lula in next year’s election. His allies in Congress are reportedly considering a push for amnesty.
As the Supreme Court prepares to finalize sentencing, the decision cements Bolsonaro’s place in history as the first Brazilian head of state convicted of attempting to overthrow democracy.
Comments