Brasilia, Brazil – Far-right former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has begun serving a 27-year prison sentence for orchestrating a failed coup aimed at preventing Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office following the 2022 elections. The Supreme Court of Brazil ordered Bolsonaro to begin his sentence after rejecting all appeals, marking a dramatic turn in the country’s political history.
Bolsonaro, 70, a former army captain who reshaped Brazil’s political landscape, is now detained in a secure room at police headquarters in Brasilia, equipped with a TV, mini-fridge, and air conditioning. The conviction stems from a September ruling that found Bolsonaro plotted to block Lula’s inauguration and allegedly planned to assassinate the veteran leftist leader. Prosecutors noted that the coup failed due to insufficient support from Brazil’s top military officials.
Legal Proceedings and Detention
Bolsonaro had previously been under house arrest but was detained at police headquarters after tampering with his ankle monitor using a soldering iron. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes indicated that Bolsonaro may have attempted to flee, pointing to the proximity of the U.S. embassy and Bolsonaro’s close ties with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Bolsonaro, however, denied any escape attempt, attributing his behavior to paranoia caused by medication.
The Supreme Court also ordered a military tribunal to determine whether Bolsonaro should lose his captain’s rank. Meanwhile, five co-accused, including military generals and former ministers, began serving sentences ranging from 19 to 26 years. Bolsonaro’s former intelligence chief, Alexandre Ramagem, sentenced to 16 years, recently fled to the U.S. and is currently considered a fugitive.
Health and Family Concerns
Bolsonaro suffers ongoing health issues, including complications from a stab wound received during the 2018 campaign, persistent gastric problems, and uncontrollable hiccups, which have reportedly left him fatigued and fainting. His family has described him as “extremely fragile and psychologically devastated,” highlighting both physical and mental strain during his incarceration.
Defense attorney Paulo Cunha Bueno expressed surprise at the court’s decision and indicated plans to file an appeal, emphasizing concerns about Bolsonaro’s health and the harsh conditions of imprisonment.
Political Implications
Bolsonaro’s imprisonment leaves Brazil’s large conservative electorate without a leading candidate for the 2026 presidential elections, in which Lula, now 80, has announced his intention to run for a fourth term. Bolsonaro maintains that he is innocent and a victim of political persecution, continuing a narrative that has shaped his public image since leaving office in 2022.
This case marks Bolsonaro as the fourth former Brazilian president imprisoned since the end of the military dictatorship in 1985. Previous examples include Fernando Collor de Mello, who served a nearly nine-year sentence for corruption but was allowed to remain at home due to health concerns.
Historical Context
Brazil has experienced repeated political turbulence, with leaders from both the left and right facing legal challenges. Lula himself was imprisoned for a year and a half on corruption charges, later overturned by the Supreme Court, highlighting the cyclical nature of judicial intervention in Brazilian politics. Bolsonaro’s conviction underscores ongoing tensions between Brazil’s far-right movements and the judicial system, as well as the broader contest between conservative and leftist political forces.
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