Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil, has been found guilty of conspiring to stage a military coup. The Brazilian Supreme Court reached a majority decision with three judges voting for conviction, while one judge voted for acquittal, and another has yet to cast a vote.
Bolsonaro’s conviction stems from his involvement in a plot intended to remain in power following his loss to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the 2022 election. Although the coup attempt failed to secure sufficient military support, it resulted in the January 8, 2023, storming of government buildings by Bolsonaro’s supporters.
Sentencing for Bolsonaro is scheduled for Friday, and he faces substantial penalties that could total over 40 years in prison. Justice Cármen Lúcia, who cast the decisive vote, stated that Bolsonaro was responsible for inciting an “insurgency” that led to violence against key government institutions, including the Supreme Court, the presidential palace, and Congress.
The court found Bolsonaro guilty on five charges, which include attempting to stage a coup, leading an armed criminal organization, and attempting to violently abolish democratic rule. Two additional charges pertain to property damage during the riots in Brasília.
Bolsonaro has consistently maintained his innocence and described the proceedings as a politically motivated “witch hunt.” His legal team is expected to file appeals, and if two out of the five justices dissent, they could request a review by the full Supreme Court, which consists of 11 justices. The final vote of Justice Cristiano Zanin, who has yet to deliver his verdict, will be closely monitored.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c147n38k800o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss