Bolsonaro Gets 27 Years in Jail for Coup Plan - Intermediate English

Brazil’s Supreme Court has sentenced former president Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and 3 months in prison for attempting to organize a military coup following his defeat in the 2022 election. The justices concluded that Bolsonaro led a criminal network that tried to undermine the democratic process between July 2021 and January 2023.

One of the main accusations was his involvement in the January 8, 2023 riots, when his supporters stormed government buildings in Brasília. The court also said Bolsonaro actively spread doubt about the electoral system in order to stay in power.

Four of the five Supreme Court judges voted in favor of conviction, saying that Bolsonaro’s actions represented a serious threat to democracy. The ruling has been described as a turning point for Brazilian politics, as it is the first time a former president has been punished for attempting to subvert democratic institutions.

Bolsonaro denied all charges, and his defense team announced plans to appeal. However, the strong ruling shows that Brazil’s judiciary is taking a firm stance against political attempts to destroy democracy.