Brazil, Brazil (AP) – Former Brazilian President Jea Bolsonaro He was convicted of attempting to hold a coup after losing his re-election bid in 2022.
He is the first former president to be convicted of trying to overturn elections in a country with the largest economy in Latin America. Bolsonaro has always denied cheating.
Four of the five judges on the Supreme Court panel voted to convict him on Thursday, sentenced him in 27 years and three months’ prison. But this doesn’t mean he’s going to prison anytime soon.
Here’s what you need to know about the process for Bolsonaro and what’s coming next:
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Prosecutors have charged five crimes, including attempted a coup after losing the 2022 race. President Luis Inacio Lula da Silvajoined armed criminal organizations, attempting to violently abolish the democratic rule of law, qualifying damages from violence, and degrading listed legacy.
According to evidence presented by the Attorney General, Bolsonaro brought together cabinet and military officials to discuss an emergency order that would suspend election results to investigate unproven election fraud claims.
Judge Alexandre de Moraise, who overseen the case, said Bolsonaro had committed a series of acts since 2021. January 8, 2023 It constituted a tried coup. Actions included casting doubt on Brazil’s electronic voting system, drafting an order to override election results, and encouraging riots on January 8, 2023.
Will Bolsonaro go to prison?
He won’t go to prison now, but he’ll stay Under house arrest.
With the verdict being announced, the court panel will have up to 60 days to make the verdict public. Once, Bolsonaro’s lawyers submit a five-day move for clarification.
His lawyers say they will attempt to appeal both the conviction and the sentence before the Supreme Court of Justice of 11 people, but some experts believe it is unlikely to be accepted.
Rafael Mafay, a lawyer and professor of law at the University of Sao Paulo, said: “But of course, because defense should,” he added.
The Supreme Court’s press office told The Associated Press that, according to court jurisprudence, the entire court can only accept appeals if there are at least two votes against the award. And in this case, only one of the five justices opposed it, sought Bolsonaro’s acquittal.
After a solid sentence, Bolsonaro was able to go to prison.
However, it is unlikely that he will be transferred to a normal prison. As former president, he has the right to special imprisonment that could take place in the main building of the Federal Police in Brasilia.
Reactions by the US
Bolsonaro’s trial attracted new attention after US President Donald Trump 50% customs duties linked to imported Brazilian goods He calls it “witch hunting” to the legal situation of his allies.
Observers thought the US might announce new sanctions against Brazil after the trial, and the Trump administration on Thursday hinted at it.
Trump said he was “very unhappy” with the conviction, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in his X account that the US government will “respond to this witch hunt accordingly.”
Justice of government officials or the Supreme Court may be approved; It was already like De Moraes In late July, Oliver Stuenkel, professor of international relations at the think tank and university Getulio Vargas Foundation.
The response “may include broader visa restrictions for government officials and more tariffs,” Stuenkel said. “It’s very unpredictable.”
What’s next for the far right in Brazil?
Despite his legal issues, Bolsonaro remains a powerful political player in Brazil. The conviction could put pressure on him to choose a political heir who could challenge Lula in next year’s general election. They can also force alliance lawmakers to seek a pardon from the former president through Congress.
Bolsonaro previously ran for office until 2030 in another case.
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Sá Pessoa was reported by Sao Paulo.
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