Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years in prison: Brazil's democratic future wobbles!

Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years in prison: Brazil's democratic future wobbles!

Ex-President Jair Bolsonaro was guilty in Brazil because of his attempted coup d'état and has to expect a prison sentence of over 27 years. The Supreme Federal Court of Justice (STF) in Brasília made the judgment on September 11, 2025, with four out of five judges voted for the conviction. Despite the possibility of a sentence of more than 40 years, the judges decided that Bolsonaro has to spend 27 years and three months in prison. This punishment marks a historical moment because Bolsonaro is the first Brazilian president to be convicted of attempted to overthrow after his term. He was not personally published for the verdict and has been in the house arrest since the beginning of August 2025 for violations of conditions.

The public prosecutor and the court accuse Bolsonaro of having planned a coup attempt against his successor Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva after its election defeat in 2022. The plan provided to announce and enforce a state of emergency, but without the support of military leadership. On January 8, 2023, his followers storm the congress building, the Supreme Court and the Presidential Palace in Brasília. At that time, Bolsonaro was in the United States while the riots took place. Judge Alexandre de Moraes described Bolsonaro as "leader of a criminal organization" and referred to evidence that took his planning for the overthrow, including manipulations on the electoral system and secret meetings with ministers.

Political polarization and social reactions

The judgment continued to polarize Brazil. Bolsonaro and his supporters represent the allegations as politically motivated. The defense argued that the accusations were based on distorted interpretations. Bolsonaro received support from former US President Donald Trump, who described the conviction as "very surprising" and praised Bolsonaro as a "good president". Trump compared the situation with his own legal proceedings and emphasized that the United States would "react appropriately to this witch hunt".

The court hearing is an intensification of political tensions in Brazil. Experts fear that protests could occur in the coming weeks. Political scientist Mayra Goulart noted that many participants held positions that should grant the rule of law. 1,400 participants in the coup attempt were arrested, while the political and military string pullers remained largely undisputed. There is a general shyness to punish military personnel because they could have a potentially destabilizing effect.

Follow and outlook

The judgment against Bolsonaro also has an impact on its political rights. The Supreme Court of Court withdrawn the passive right of voting by mid -2030. Bolsonaro is also punished for his statements about the integrity of the elections, which were considered unconstitutional. Despite the severe allegations, a large majority of Brazilians do not believe in a return to the dictatorship. Many remember the military dictatorship between 1964 and 1985 and appreciate democracy in the country.

Overall, the political situation in Brazil is characterized by extreme polarization, with the population being involved in or against Bolsonaro. Julia Dualibi, a journalist, explains that the majority of the Brazilians have no longing for a dictatorship, which underlines the considerability of Brazilian democracy. The experience from the past could be crucial for the preservation of democratic values ​​in Brazil.