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Brazil Senate Passes Sentencing Bill That Would Sharply Cut Bolsonaro’s Prison Term

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has indicated he will veto the measure.

Overview

  • The Senate approved the bill 48–25 after fast-tracking text previously cleared by the Chamber of Deputies.
  • The proposal bars stacking certain coup-related charges, reduces penalties for crimes committed in a crowd, and speeds movement to less restrictive prison regimes.
  • Proponents say Bolsonaro’s 27-year sentence could translate to roughly two years and four months in closed prison if the changes take effect.
  • The measure could also ease or end custody for more than a hundred January 8 defendants who were not identified as leaders or financiers.
  • An override attempt and constitutional challenges are expected, as the Supreme Court just closed the coup cases by sentencing the final five defendants.