Former Brazil President Bolsonaro Found Guilty In Coup Plot, Sentence Yet To Be Decided

Last Updated:September 12, 2025, 02:09 IST

Bolsonaro has been under house arrest since early August for violating court orders prohibiting him from making public comments.

He has denied any wrongdoing and did not attend the proceedings, which began last week

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was found guilty on Thursday by the country’s Supreme Court following majority vote for his role in a coup attempt following the 2022 election. The court ruled that Bolsonaro sought to overturn the election results, which he lost, and plotted to assassinate the current President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, reported Reuters.

A majority of a five-member Supreme Court panel has now voted to convict Bolsonaro. The landmark ruling became apparent when the third justice voted in favour of conviction on all five charges against him. Although one more justice is yet to cast a vote, the verdict is expected to be formally concluded this week.

According to Washington Post, Bolsonaro, 70, faces up to 40 years in prison if sentenced. He has denied any wrongdoing and did not attend the proceedings, which began last week inside the same building that was stormed by his supporters after his electoral defeat. Sentencing is expected within days. Seven co-defendants, including an admiral and three generals, were also found guilty.

Among the key evidence presented was a document prosecutors described as a draft presidential decree, reported the Guardian. The decree would have granted Bolsonaro emergency powers to take control of the country’s top electoral court to ensure “fairness and correction.” Investigators allege Bolsonaro edited and presented the document to military leaders but ultimately failed to gain the support necessary to enact it.

“The government wanted to remain in power by simply ignoring democracy — and that is what constitutes a coup d’état,” Justice Alexandre de Moraes said from the bench on Tuesday. De Moraes, who was also named as a potential assassination target, has played a prominent role throughout the case.

Bolsonaro has been under house arrest since early August for violating court orders prohibiting him from making public comments aimed at intimidating or pressuring officials to cancel his trial. Defense lawyers still have the option to appeal, but once all challenges are exhausted, the ruling becomes final and any prison term can be enforced.

Already banned from holding public office until 2030 for spreading false information about Brazil’s electoral system, Bolsonaro has argued that the ruling disenfranchises millions of Brazilians who support him and maintains hope the ban will eventually be overturned.

It is yet to be seen how the US reacts to the development, as US President Donald Trump and top members of his administration have repeatedly voiced support for Bolsonaro. In July, Trump raised tariffs on Brazil to 50%, citing the case, in what was seen as a highly political move. Trump has also directly accused President Lula of mistreating Bolsonaro and sanctioned Justice de Moraes. According to an Al Jazeera report, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt warned earlier this week that the US could respond strongly if a guilty verdict were delivered.

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