Ex-Brazil president Bolsonaro sentenced to prison for coup plot
He can appeal the ruling.
Four of the five Supreme Court justices reviewing the case in the panel found the far-right politician guilty on five counts, in a ruling that will deepen political divisions and likely prompt a backlash from the United States government.
The ruling makes Bolsonaro the first former Brazilian president to be convicted of attempting a coup.
United States President Donald Trump said that he was “very unhappy” with the conviction.
Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House, Trump said he always found Bolsonaro to be “outstanding”.
The conviction, he added, is “very bad for Brazil”.
Bauchi govt dismisses teacher over sexual harassment allegations
The sentence doesn’t mean he will immediately go to prison. The court panel has now up to 60 days to publish the ruling.
Once it does, Bolsonaro’s lawyers have five days to file motions for clarification.
One of the justices, Carmen Lucia, told AFP she was convinced by the evidence the Attorney General’s Office presented against the former president.
“He is the instigator, the leader of an organisation that orchestrated every possible move to maintain or seize power,” she said.
Flavio Bolsonaro, the former president’s eldest son, said the conviction was a “supreme persecution” and that history would show they were on the right side.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
