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Bolsonaro begins 27-year sentence
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.
“Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered former president Jair Bolsonaro to begin serving a prison sentence of about 27 years after his defence declined to file a second appeal.”
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.
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.
Ankle monitor tampering case
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.
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.
Brazil coup convictions
Convictions announced in September and later affirmed by the court encompass a string of severe charges.
“The convictions include leading an armed criminal organization, attempting the violent abolition of democratic rule, and participating in a plot that allegedly planned to kill President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Justice Alexandre de Moraes,”
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.
Custody and prosecutions coverage
Several high-profile allies were also sentenced and have been allocated to different types of custody.
Some generals are reported sent to military facilities.
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.
Reactions to Bolsonaro conviction
Many progressive commentators and outlets said they felt relief and a sense of accountability, describing the case as an attack on democracy.
“The incarceration has prompted jubilation among many progressives critical of Bolsonaro’s presidency — blamed for environmental damage, international isolation, hostility to minorities and a catastrophic COVID response — while his supporters denounce the jailing as political persecution.”
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'.
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.