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Brazil’s Top Court Sentences Bolsonaro to 27 Years for Coup Plot

The 4–1 decision ushers in an appeals fight under electronic monitoring.

Overview

  • Justices voted 4–1 to convict, with Judge Luiz Fux dissenting and asserting the Supreme Federal Court lacked jurisdiction.
  • Seven former allies, including ex-ministers and generals, were also convicted and received prison terms ranging from two to 26 years.
  • Bolsonaro remains ineligible until 2030 and cannot be imprisoned until ordinary and extraordinary appeals are exhausted, with defense given five days to appeal once the ruling is published.
  • The ruling escalated tensions with the United States as President Trump’s administration upheld 50% tariffs on key Brazilian exports and Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned of further reprisals, prompting Brasília to reject what it called intimidation.
  • Conservative allies are rallying Congress to pass an amnesty bill that would include Bolsonaro, a move some Supreme Court justices have signaled would be unconstitutional.