Brasilia – Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has begun serving a 27-year prison sentence after the Supreme Court upheld his conviction on charges of plotting a coup. The sentence stems from Bolsonaro’s alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2022 election.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued the order for Bolsonaro’s imprisonment at the Federal Police complex in Brasilia, where he had been held since last Saturday. The decision follows the publication of a Supreme Court document confirming that Bolsonaro’s conviction is final, with no further appeals possible.
The 70-year-old Bolsonaro had been under house arrest since the beginning of August. However, the court ordered his pre-trial detention due to “indications of a potential escape attempt” during a demonstration planned by his supporters near his residence in the capital last Saturday.
Justice de Moraes stated that Bolsonaro “deliberately and consciously violated electronic monitoring equipment,” and destroyed his ankle bracelet. This action further solidified the court’s decision to move him to a more secure facility.
The Supreme Court convicted Bolsonaro in September on charges of leading a “criminal organization” that conspired to ensure his “authoritarian continuation in power” after his defeat by leftist rival Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the October 2022 elections. The court found substantial evidence of a coordinated effort to undermine the democratic process and maintain Bolsonaro’s grip on the presidency.
The imprisonment of the former president marks a significant moment in Brazilian politics and underscores the country’s commitment to upholding the rule of law. The case has drawn international attention, raising questions about the stability of democratic institutions in the region.
DZWatch will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as they become available.
