Brazil’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to immediately begin serving his 27-year prison sentence for allegedly orchestrating a failed plot to remain in power after losing the country’s last election.
The directive came shortly after the court rejected an initial appeal filed by Bolsonaro’s lawyers, who had sought to overturn or suspend the conviction. With the appeal dismissed, the justices ruled that the former leader must commence his sentence without further delay.
According to the court’s ruling, Bolsonaro will be transferred to a federal police facility in Brasília, where he will serve the early phase of his sentence. The decision marks one of the most consequential legal blows against the former president, who has long denied orchestrating any attempt to subvert Brazil’s democratic process.
Bolsonaro’s legal team has vowed to continue pursuing additional appeals, but Tuesday’s judgment means he must begin serving time while those efforts progress. The ruling also signals the Supreme Court’s firm stance on political accountability following the turmoil that surrounded the last election.
The case stems from accusations that Bolsonaro oversaw or encouraged efforts to overturn the vote results, culminating in what prosecutors described as a coordinated attempt to cling to power. The court held that the actions amounted to a serious assault on Brazil’s democratic institutions.
Further legal proceedings and appeals are expected in the coming months, but for now, the former president faces the immediate reality of incarceration as ordered by the nation’s highest court.
Erizia Rubyjeana
About the Author
