Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has been convicted by the Supreme Court of plotting a coup to remain in power after losing the 2022 election, a powerful blow to the populist far-right movement he created.
The ruling by four of five justices in Brazil’s Supreme Court makes Bolsonaro the first former president in the country’s history to be convicted for attacking democracy.
Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.Credit: AP
“This criminal case is almost a meeting between Brazil and its past, its present, and its future,” Justice Carmen Lucia said before she voted to convict Bolsonaro of attempting a coup, a reference to previous attempts to overthrow democracy in the country’s history.
There was ample evidence, she added, that Bolsonaro acted “with the purpose of eroding democracy and institutions”.
The historic significance of the case goes way beyond the former president and his movement.
The four justices also ruled to convict Bolsonaro’s seven allies, including five military officers.
The verdict marks the first time since Brazil became a republic almost 140 years ago that military officials have been punished for attempting to overthrow democracy.
The justices are expected to decide on a prison sentence – and how it would be served – by Friday (Saturday AEST). Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest as part of another case, faces a maximum potential sentence of 40 years.
Reuters
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