Brazil’s Former President Jair Bolsonaro Could Face Lengthy Prison Sentence
Supreme Court Votes to Put Him on Trial for Alleged Coup Plot
The first of five judges on Brazil’s Supreme Court reviewing charges against former president Jair Bolsonaro has voted for him to stand trial for allegedly conspiring to overthrow the government after he lost a 2022 election. The court is widely expected to put Bolsonaro on trial, according to sources familiar with the judges’ deliberations.
Potential Prison Sentence of Over Two Decades
If found guilty, Bolsonaro could face a lengthy prison sentence stretching over two decades. In his opening remarks, justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the case, screened dramatic footage of Bolsonaro’s supporters storming government buildings in violent scenes that unfolded just a week after the inauguration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in January 2023.
Accusations of Attempting to Overthrow Democracy
Bolsonaro, a far-right former army captain who served as Brazil’s president from 2019 to 2022, is accused of five crimes, including an alleged attempt to violently abolish the democratic rule of law and a coup d’etat. Moraes said that Bolsonaro led "a systematic effort to cast doubt on the electronic voting machines" used in Brazil, part of his efforts to undermine the election he lost.
Court Hearing and Public Rally
The Supreme Court began reviewing charges against Bolsonaro and seven of his closest allies yesterday in a session that Bolsonaro voluntarily attended, sitting silently in the first row. Ahead of the landmark court hearing, Bolsonaro called a beachfront rally in Rio de Janeiro, hoping to seize on Lula’s waning popularity and pressure congress to pass an amnesty bill favouring him and his jailed supporters. The demonstration, which some allies suggested could draw more than a million backers, was widely considered a flop after two independent polling firms found that only between 20,000 and 30,000 people showed up.
Future Political Ambitions
Bolsonaro has insisted he will run for president again next year, despite a ruling by Brazil’s superior electoral court that barred him from running for public office until 2030 for his efforts to discredit the country’s voting system.
Conclusion
The outcome of this trial will have significant implications for Brazil’s political landscape. A conviction could lead to a lengthy prison sentence, while an acquittal could clear Bolsonaro’s name and allow him to re-enter the political arena. The country is eagerly awaiting the verdict, which is expected to be a major turning point in Brazilian politics.
FAQs
- What are the charges against Jair Bolsonaro?
Jair Bolsonaro is accused of five crimes, including an alleged attempt to violently abolish the democratic rule of law and a coup d’etat. - What is the potential prison sentence if found guilty?
Bolsonaro could face a lengthy prison sentence stretching over two decades. - What is the significance of this trial?
The outcome of this trial will have significant implications for Brazil’s political landscape and the future of Bolsonaro’s political career.