On September 11, four judges of the Brazilian Supreme Court voted to confirm that former President Jair Bolsonaro had committed all five of his allegations, including plotting to overthrow the government, participating in armed criminal organizations, plotting to overthrow democratic order by violence, sabotage of public property and attacking state agencies. The court sentenced the former president to 27 years and 3 months in prison.
Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes said that Bolsonaro has sought to "destroy the essential pillars of the democratic rule of law state" and restore " authoritarianism in Brazil".
According to prosecutors, the coup plot began in 2021 with efforts to erode public confidence in Brazil's election system.
After the 2022 election defeat, prosecutors said that Bolsonaro incited supporters to flock to the capital Brazilia, leading to an attack and sabotage of three power headquarters - the National Assembly, the Presidential Palace and the Supreme Court - on January 8, 2023.
The incident shocked the world, and was likened to the br brasilian version of the Capitol Hill 6.1 riot in the US.
Mr. Bolsonaro and his accomplices firmly denied the violation. The defense attorney said he would appeal the entire verdict.
The case has increased tensions with the US, after President Donald Trump called it a "witch hunt" and imposed a 50% tariff on Brazil.
The Trump administration has also punished Judge Alexandre de Moraes for what it described as a "serious violation of human rights," declaring visa restrictions on him and other court officials.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva condemned Trump's pressure tactics, accusing Washington of "contributing to a coup" and stating that Brazil "will not forget that".
