On September 11, 2025, all the judges of Brazil’s Supreme Court made a historic verdict. According to the latest news, former President Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison for allegedly plotting a coup to maintain his power after his defeat in the 2022 election. This verdict marks the first time in Brazilian history that a former president has been convicted of overthrowing the democratic system. The trial and judgment of this case have aroused intense attention and heated debate both at home and abroad.
According to reports by Brazil’s Reuters and the Associated Press, a five-person panel of the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court found Bolsonaro guilty in court proceedings on the following five charges: Participating in organized crime organizations, attempting to violently abolish democracy and the rule of law, posing a threat to state institutions, harming national heritage and damaging public goods by violent means, as well as inciting violence. Four judges voted in favor of the conviction, while one dissented. At present, Bolsonaro is still under house arrest at home, but he will face the possibility of being transferred to prison to serve his sentence. Meanwhile, his legal team has stated that they will appeal against the verdict.
The trial focused on Bolsonaro’s refusal to admit defeat after the 2022 presidential election, as well as the alleged conspiracies between him and his supporters and several military figures, including planning to interfere in the election results by force or institutional means. The evidence submitted by the prosecution includes internal communication records, eyewitness testimonies, and internal documents of government agencies, which show that he had attempted to mobilize the military and militia groups to influence the transition of government power. The judge pointed out that Bolsonaro used his influence as a former head of state to operate state institutions in order to create social instability and pave the way for maintaining his power. During the trial, Bolsonaro denied all the charges and claimed that his actions constituted freedom of speech and political confrontation. His legal team claimed that there was procedural injustice in this case and accused the plaintiff of having political biases against certain judicial institutions. Although these arguments were submitted to the trial, they failed to convince the majority of the judges.
Social and political responses
The verdict immediately triggered a strong reaction in Brazilian society. Supporters believe that this is a sign of judicial independence and the self-repair of the democratic system, and it conveys a clear warning against the overstepping of political leaders. Opponents, however, refer to this verdict as “political persecution”, accusing the judicial system of being exploited by political rivals to marginalize their political counterparts. Several conservative supporter organizations in the country have announced that they will hold demonstrations in support of Bolsonaro.
In the international community, many political leaders from various countries and the international media have also paid attention. The Guardian called this case “a test of Brazil’s democratic defense line” and pointed out that this verdict might serve as a reference for other Latin American countries to examine similar political crises. Some media outlets and politicians in the United States have also expressed questions about the judgment process and evidence. However, mainstream commentators tend to believe that if the legal process is indeed fair, this case represents an important victory for the rule of law and democratic systems.
Subsequent developments and legal trends
Although Bolsonaro was sentenced to long-term imprisonment, the legal process has not yet concluded. He can appeal to the broader Supreme Federal Court. Under Brazilian law, the appeal process may last for several months or even longer, during which many legal and political issues, including imprisonment conditions, health factors related to the epidemic, and surveillance conditions, will be further examined. Furthermore, given that Bolsonaro has been banned from running until 2030, this verdict almost completely deprives him of the possibility of returning to the general election in the short term.
This verdict may also trigger a chain reaction within Brazil’s political system. Legal scholars point out that, on the one hand, this case may enhance the court’s role in checking and balancing political power, but on the other hand, it may also intensify the tension between extreme political camps and the judiciary, profoundly affecting Brazil’s future elections, security, and social stability.
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