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Rabat — Brazil’s supreme court has sentenced former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison.
He was convicted on Thursday of plotting a coup to remain in power following his defeat during the 2022 election.
According to Reuters, the sentence made Bolsonaro the first former president in the country’s history to face a similar sentence for attacking democracy.
Judge Carmen Lucia said the prosecutor’s office offered evidence that Bolsonaro attempted to attack democratic institutions.
“The Prosecutor’s Office provided conclusive evidence that the group, led by Jair Messias Bolsonaro, comprised of key figures from the government, the Armed Forces, and the intelligence services, implemented a progressive and systematic plan to attack democratic institutions, with the aim of harming the legitimate alternation of power in the 2022 elections,” Lucia said.
US President Donald Trump gave remarks on the ruling, which he described as shocking, asserting that Bolsonaro was a “good man”.
“I watched that trial. I know him pretty well,” Trump told reporters, describing Bolsonaro as an outstanding leader.
“Now, it’s a terrible thing for Brazil.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US will respond accordingly to this “witch hunt.”
Brazil’s Foreign Ministry responded to Rubio’s remarks, describing them as an attack against Brazilian authority. For the foreign ministry, the comment “ignores the facts and the compelling evidence in the records.”
The country’s authorities have also responded to the US’ sanctions threats, saying they do not fear potential actions from Washington.
