In a historic moment for Brazil, the Supreme Court has condemned former President Jair Bolsonaro and several high-ranking military officers for an attempted coup d'État. Bolsonaro, former Army captain, was found guilty of leading a conspiracy to prevent the transfer of power to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva after the 2022 elections. The court found him guilty of five crimes, including an attempted coup and membership in a criminal organization. The vote included the crucial vote of Carmen Lúcia Antunes Rocha, the only woman on the court, who highlighted Bolsonaro's plan to undermine the democratic institutions. The court must now decide the corresponding penalties.
This trial, considered the most relevant in Brazil in recent years, follows alarming events that culminated on January 8, 2023, when Bolsonaro's followers attempted to seize power, evoking the attack on the Capitol in the United States. Bolsonaro followed the trial from his home due to his house arrest. Despite international pressure, especially from Donald Trump, the trial reached its conclusion with a significant conviction. The sentence, which could see Bolsonaro facing up to 43 years in prison, also entails a ban on running for office until 2030, and affects the political dynamics ahead of the 2026 presidential elections. Meanwhile, a possible amnesty is being discussed in Congress that could reverse some effects of this historic ruling.
Read the full news article on The Country.
