Brazil's Supreme Court Orders Convicted Coup-Plotter Jair Bolsonaro to Begin 27-Year Prison Term

Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered former president Jair Bolsonaro to begin serving a prison term of about 27 years after his defence declined to file a final appeal.

“The former president was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for trying to foment a coup after his electoral defeat”

Al Jazeera

The defence’s decision made the conviction final and activated the sentence to be served at the Federal Police headquarters in Brasília, where he is currently held.

Al Jazeera

Justice Alexandre de Moraes announced the order and said the legal process that began with Bolsonaro’s September conviction is now concluded.

The ruling follows a panel conviction that found Bolsonaro and several allies staged a plot to subvert the democratic order after his 2022 election loss.

Allegations that Bolsonaro tampered with a court-ordered ankle monitor while under house arrest prompted a preventive arrest and his remand to the federal police facility in Brasília.

Courts and police released video they say shows damage to the bracelet.

Anadolu Ajansı

Bolsonaro offered varying explanations, from saying he used a soldering iron 'out of curiosity' to blaming medication that caused 'hallucinations' or 'paranoia'.

Judges cited a heightened flight risk and ordered his detention.

Convictions announced in September and later affirmed by the court encompass a string of severe charges.

“ANI |Updated:Nov 26, 2025 02:24 IST Brasilia[Brazil], November 26 (ANI):Brazil's Supreme Court on Tuesday (local time) ordered former PresidentJair Bolsonaroto begin serving his27-yearprison sentence for allegedly plotting an attempted coup, CNN reported”

ANI News

Those charges include leading an armed criminal organization.

They also include attempting the violent abolition of democratic rule.

Defendants were accused of participating in a coup plot tied to the Jan. 8, 2023 attacks on government buildings.

The indictments even alleged plans to assassinate President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin and Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

The court characterized the scheme as an effort to subvert Brazil’s democratic order after Bolsonaro’s 2022 loss.

Sentences varied among co-defendants and were tied to actions during Bolsonaro’s term.

Several high-profile allies were also sentenced and have been allocated to different types of custody.

Some generals are reported sent to military facilities.

Apa.az

Ministers and officials have been sent to civilian penitentiaries.

A former intelligence chief, Alexandre Ramagem, is reported to be a fugitive in the United States.

Coverage details differ on destinations and status for co-defendants, but many outlets list the same names and varying terms.

This underlines the wider sweep of the prosecutions beyond Bolsonaro himself.

Many progressive commentators and outlets said they felt relief and a sense of accountability, describing the case as an attack on democracy.

“Brazil’s Supreme Court has directed former President Jair Bolsonaro to begin serving a 27-year sentence after dismissing his appeal”

Arise News

Bolsonaro's supporters denounced the conviction as political persecution, and some international figures such as former US President Donald Trump called the proceedings a 'witch hunt'.

Arise News

The ruling also raises questions about the short- and medium-term shape of Brazil's conservative movement and the 2026 electoral field.

Coverage noted that Bolsonaro is barred from running until at least 2030, even as he remains politically influential in polls.