Ex Brazilian President sentenced to 27 years for coup plot

Brazil’s Supreme Court has sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison for plotting a coup after losing the last election.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes delivered the verdict on Tuesday, November 25, marking the final judgement in the case, leaving no scope for further appeal.

Bolsonaro lost the 2022 presidential election to leftist rival Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He was found guilty of refusing to accept the election results and leading a conspiracy to remain in power through a planned coup. The 70-year-old will begin serving his sentence in a federal police detention cell in Brasília, where he has been held since Saturday.

The ruling states that Bolsonaro will remain in the federal police complex in Brasília. Requests to transfer him to a maximum-security or military prison were rejected.

His lawyers had appealed for him to serve the sentence under house arrest, but Justice Moraes dismissed the request, citing his attempt to break an ankle bracelet—an act the judge described as an escape attempt.

However, Justice Moraes has ordered full-time medical care for Bolsonaro. His medical team had earlier stated that his health had deteriorated and required close monitoring and treatment.

He was initially placed under house arrest for violating precautionary measures after seeking United States intervention to halt ongoing criminal proceedings, and an ankle bracelet was fitted to prevent escape.