Bolsonaro Begins 27-Year Prison Term for Coup Plot as Brazil's Supreme Court Confirms Verdict

In Brazil, a landmark legal ruling has turned into reality: former president Jair Bolsonaro must start serving a 27-year term for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election. The Supreme Court’s decision ends the appeals process and paves the way for his detention in Brasília. The case has intensified debate over Brazil's democratic norms and political accountability.

Final verdict and detention

Justice Alexandre de Moraes ruled that the case has reached its final judgement and that no further appeals are possible. Bolsonaro, now 70, will serve his sentence in a federal police jail in the capital after being detained last weekend on flight-risk grounds. He has remained under custody since then.

Health, monitoring, and monitoring device incident

At a Sunday hearing, Bolsonaro acknowledged attempting to loosen his ankle monitor with a soldering iron but said he stopped when he regained awareness. He claimed no plan to flee and blamed a medicine-induced paranoia for the device damage. Moraes ordered full-time medical care due to his deteriorating health, as Bolsonaro's doctors had warned.

Evidence of incitement and the January 2023 riot

Supreme Court justices previously found that Bolsonaro encouraged rioters who attacked government buildings on 8 January 2023, seeking military intervention to reinstall him in power. The plan did not gain support from army or air force commanders, and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was inaugurated on 1 January 2023 without incident. In the days after the riot, security forces arrested roughly 1,500 participants as order was restored.

Political consequences

Along with the prison sentence, Bolsonaro was barred from running for public office until 2060, effectively sidelining him from electoral politics for decades. He has denounced the proceedings as a witch-hunt aimed at preventing his 2026 bid for the presidency.

Key takeaways

• Final ruling closes the appeals process and mandates detention in Brasília.
• Health concerns prompt authorities to provide ongoing medical care in custody.
• Riot investigation links Bolsonaro to incitement during the January 2023 attacks, though the military did not intervene.
• Bolsonaro is banned from holding public office until 2060, effectively ending his immediate political career.

Expert comment

Expert comment: Dr. Ana Martins, a political analyst, notes that the ruling signals Brazil's resolve to enforce constitutional norms even amid high-profile figures. The decision will test how the judiciary and political actors interact as the 2026 race approaches.

Summary

The verdict marks a significant moment for Brazil’s democracy, reinforcing the rule of law against actions that threatened constitutional order. While the sentence curtails Bolsonaro’s political path for decades, its broader impact on Brazil’s political landscape will unfold in the years ahead as parties position themselves for the next election cycle.

Key insight: The final ruling demonstrates accountability for actions that threatened Brazil's constitutional order. Source: BBC