A judge on Brazil’s Supreme Court has suspended the implementation of a law that could have significantly reduced the prison sentence of former president Jair Bolsonaro, according to a court document released on Saturday.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes ruled that the measure cannot take effect until the court concludes two ongoing legal challenges seeking to overturn it on constitutional grounds.
The legislation, approved last year, would have cut Bolsonaro’s 27-year sentence for allegedly plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election to current president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. At the time, lawmakers said the change could have reduced his sentence to just over two years and potentially allowed his release as early as 2028.
The bill also applies to individuals convicted over the January 2023 riots, when Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalised key government buildings in BrasÃlia, including the presidential palace, Supreme Court and Congress.
However, the law was challenged this week by two political parties and Brazil’s press association ABI, which argued it is unconstitutional. Brazil’s Congress had previously overridden President Lula’s veto of the measure last month.
Justice Moraes said the suspension will remain in place until the Supreme Court issues a final ruling in the related cases. He said allowing the law to proceed at this stage could undermine judicial review.
Bolsonaro’s legal team has not yet formally requested a sentence reduction under the law. However, they have filed a separate motion seeking a criminal review of his conviction.
The former president is currently serving his sentence under humanitarian house arrest, following an initial 90-day confinement granted on medical grounds.
Erizia Rubyjeana
