In a significant ruling, Brazil's Supreme Court has mandated that former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro commence his prison sentence of 27 years and three months. This sentence is a result of his involvement in a conspiracy to plot a coup following his defeat in the 2022 elections. Justice Alexandre de Moraes announced on Tuesday that the case has reached its conclusive judgment, with no possibility for further appeals.
At 70 years old, Bolsonaro was convicted for orchestrating a conspiracy that aimed to maintain his grip on power after losing the election to left-wing candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He is set to serve his sentence in a federal police jail cell located in the capital, Brasília. Bolsonaro was taken into custody on Saturday after being deemed a flight risk and subsequently removed from home detention.
During a court hearing on Sunday, Bolsonaro confessed to attempting to tamper with his ankle monitor using a soldering iron but claimed that he ultimately reconsidered his actions. He attributed his behavior to medication-induced paranoia and stated he never intended to flee.
Justice Moraes has mandated that Bolsonaro receive full-time medical care, as his healthcare team has reported a deterioration in his health condition. This ruling underscores the Supreme Court's acknowledgment of the former president's well-being during his imprisonment.
In September, when Bolsonaro was found guilty of the coup plot, the Supreme Court justices revealed that he was aware of plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential candidate, Geraldo Alckmin. In addition to this, there were intentions to arrest and execute Justice Moraes, who has been presiding over Bolsonaro's trial. The conspiracy ultimately failed to garner support from military leaders, including army and air force commanders.
Following Lula's swearing-in ceremony on January 1, 2023, which occurred without incident, chaos erupted a week later. On January 8, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings in Brasília, leading to a swift intervention by security forces and the arrest of approximately 1,500 individuals. The justices concluded that Bolsonaro had incited these riots, with plans for the military to intervene and restore him to power.
As part of his conviction, Bolsonaro has also been barred from running for public office until 2060, which is eight years beyond the end of his prison sentence. The former president has labeled the trial a "witch hunt", asserting that it was designed to thwart his potential candidacy in the upcoming 2026 presidential election.
In addition to Bolsonaro, Justice Moraes ordered that others found guilty as co-conspirators must also begin serving their sentences. Among them are General Augusto Heleno, the former minister for institutional security, and General Paulo Sérgio Nogueira de Oliveira, the former defense minister. This development marks a critical chapter in Brazil's political landscape as it grapples with the aftermath of the coup attempt and the implications for future governance.