This is a huge moment for Brazil.
Ex-President Jair Bolsonaro has been convicted of attempting a coup and leading an armed criminal group after losing the last election, which culminated in his supporters attacking government buildings. He now faces a lengthy prison sentence, after Brazil's Supreme Court reached the majority of three votes needed to find him guilty.
For years, Bolsonaro has fiercely divided the country into those who love him and those who hate him. His supporters, who include President Donald Trump, have described the trial as political persecution. Trump used it as an excuse to impose 50% tariffs on Brazil. His critics have praised the proceedings as necessary to bring closure, and to set a precedent that trying to undermine democracy will not be tolerated.
This ruling is likely to divide the country further.
This trial has gripped Brazil, as millions have seen it live-streamed on social media and television into their homes. And the story line has been no less dramatic than a TV series. Many people may remember the shocking moments when thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked government buildings on 8 January 2023, in scenes reminiscent of the 6 January Capitol riots in the US two years before.
But throughout the course of this trial, many gobsmacking pieces of evidence have been revealed and read out in court, including that a plan was drafted by Bolsonaro's allies for elite armed forces personnel to assassinate the president-elect Luiz Inacio 'Lula' da Silva, listing 'poison' as a method to kill him.
Bolsonaro's attorney was visibly incensed on behalf of his client, arguing there was no evidence linking Bolsonaro to this plot or the 8 January riots. The court was also reminded of Bolsonaro's attempts to cast doubt on the electoral system, including holding a meeting with foreign ambassadors to make false claims about electronic voting machines and actions to obstruct voters on the day of the election.
Throughout the trial, judges pointed to Brazil's tumultuous past, with its young democracy restored in 1985 after a military coup. Critics see a chilling parallel to past political turmoil.
The leading judge, Alexandre de Moraes, warned that Brazil risks forgetting its history, highlighting the danger posed by a political organization that struggles to accept electoral defeat.
Bolsonaro's conviction sends a significant message regarding the nation's stance against political violence. However, the exact repercussions for Bolsonaro remain uncertain as he prepares to appeal and navigate the legal landscape.
The absence of Bolsonaro in court during the verdict—citing health issues stemming from a past assassination attempt—raises concerns about potential leniency, including the possibility of house arrest based on health conditions. Meanwhile, his political allies in Congress are exploring amnesty options that could reshape his legal fate.
While this ruling represents a decisive turning point, the full extent of its implications on Brazilian politics and Bolsonaro's future is still uncertain.
Ex-President Jair Bolsonaro has been convicted of attempting a coup and leading an armed criminal group after losing the last election, which culminated in his supporters attacking government buildings. He now faces a lengthy prison sentence, after Brazil's Supreme Court reached the majority of three votes needed to find him guilty.
For years, Bolsonaro has fiercely divided the country into those who love him and those who hate him. His supporters, who include President Donald Trump, have described the trial as political persecution. Trump used it as an excuse to impose 50% tariffs on Brazil. His critics have praised the proceedings as necessary to bring closure, and to set a precedent that trying to undermine democracy will not be tolerated.
This ruling is likely to divide the country further.
This trial has gripped Brazil, as millions have seen it live-streamed on social media and television into their homes. And the story line has been no less dramatic than a TV series. Many people may remember the shocking moments when thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked government buildings on 8 January 2023, in scenes reminiscent of the 6 January Capitol riots in the US two years before.
But throughout the course of this trial, many gobsmacking pieces of evidence have been revealed and read out in court, including that a plan was drafted by Bolsonaro's allies for elite armed forces personnel to assassinate the president-elect Luiz Inacio 'Lula' da Silva, listing 'poison' as a method to kill him.
Bolsonaro's attorney was visibly incensed on behalf of his client, arguing there was no evidence linking Bolsonaro to this plot or the 8 January riots. The court was also reminded of Bolsonaro's attempts to cast doubt on the electoral system, including holding a meeting with foreign ambassadors to make false claims about electronic voting machines and actions to obstruct voters on the day of the election.
Throughout the trial, judges pointed to Brazil's tumultuous past, with its young democracy restored in 1985 after a military coup. Critics see a chilling parallel to past political turmoil.
The leading judge, Alexandre de Moraes, warned that Brazil risks forgetting its history, highlighting the danger posed by a political organization that struggles to accept electoral defeat.
Bolsonaro's conviction sends a significant message regarding the nation's stance against political violence. However, the exact repercussions for Bolsonaro remain uncertain as he prepares to appeal and navigate the legal landscape.
The absence of Bolsonaro in court during the verdict—citing health issues stemming from a past assassination attempt—raises concerns about potential leniency, including the possibility of house arrest based on health conditions. Meanwhile, his political allies in Congress are exploring amnesty options that could reshape his legal fate.
While this ruling represents a decisive turning point, the full extent of its implications on Brazilian politics and Bolsonaro's future is still uncertain.
