Jair Bolsonaro’s coup trial covered Brazil

This is a huge moment for Brazil.

Former President Jair Bolsonaro has been convicted of an attempt to coup and armed criminal group after losing the last elections that ended with his supporters attacking government buildings.

He is now facing a prolonged sentence after the Supreme Court of Brazil has reached the majority of three votes needed to plead guilty.

For years, Bolsonaro furiously 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 a political persecution. Trump uses it as an excuse to impose 50% tariffs on Brazil.

His critics praised the proceedings that it was necessary to complete the closure and to determine that the attempt to undermine democracy would not be tolerated.

This decision will probably divide the country further.

This test has gripped Brazil as millions saw him live on social media and television in their homes. And the storyline was no less dramatic than a television series.

Many people can remember the shocking moments when thousands of Bolsonaro supporters attacked government buildings on January 8, 2023, in scenes reminiscent of January 6 Capitol riots in the United States two years earlier.

But during this process, a lot of evidence was discovered and read, which were revealed in court.

They include that a plan drawn up by Bolsonaro allies for the staff of elite armed forces to kill President Luis Inasio “Lula” Da Silva, his ruling half and Supreme court judge Alexander de Moraes was printed in the presidential palace. It indicates “poison” as a method of killing the pipe.

Bolsonaro’s lawyer was visibly angry on behalf of his client when he claims that there was no evidence connecting Bolsonaro to this plot or on January 8 disorder.

The court was also reminded of Bolsonaro’s attempts to question the electoral system. They included him to hold a meeting with foreign ambassadors to the Presidential Palace to make false claims about electronic voting machines before the election, and public authorities prevented voters from reaching the polling stations – under the guise of “checking the status of vehicles” – on the day of the vote.

At different times in this process, judges referred to Brazil’s past. His democracy is young – she was restored only in 1985. After two decades of dictatorship, embodied by a military coup supported by the United States.

For the critics of Bolsonaro, the parallels were freezing.

The judge leading to this case – Alexander de Moraes – said Brazil risks “slowly forgetting” that he almost returned to dictatorship, since “a criminal organization consisting of a political group does not know how to lose elections.”

Brazil’s past is littered with a coup or coup attempt, but no one has ever sat at the harbor, and past conspirators received amnesty. Bolsonaro’s critics hope that this sentence is sending a clear signal: no more.

So what happens after that?

Bolsonaro is yet to receive his sentence – but he could now be handed over to him for the rest of his life.

He will probably want to appeal his case from the entire Supreme Court, which includes some judges he has appointed president, but will need two of the five judges who find him guilty to allow this to be resolved. Only after all the complaints are exhausted that anyone can be sent to prison in Brazil.

Jair Bolsonaro did not appear in the courtroom for the sentences. His lawyer cited health reasons. He has suffered various health problems after being stabbed at a 2018 presidential rally before taking office.

In Brazil, there is a precedent for convicts who receive house arrest for the age or health reasons he could request when convicted.

Congress – where the Bolsonaro Party has a majority – is also trying to impose legislation that would provide him with amnesty. One of the right leaders for the next year’s presidential election, which is courting Bolsonaro’s support, said he would give Bolsonaro amnesty if he was elected.

So, while this decision is an important stage, its punishment still remains unclear.