Former Brazilian President Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison

The Brazilian Supreme Court's panel of judges has found Jair Bolsonaro guilty of orchestrating an attempted military coup after his defeat in the 2022 elections. Bolsonaro's lawyers have issued a statement describing the ruling as "absurdly disproportionate" and emphasized that they will appeal "in all courts, including international ones."

Four out of the five judges on the panel ruled against the 70-year-old Bolsonaro for leading a conspiracy to overturn the election results. The conspiracy aimed to maintain his power despite his 2022 loss to his leftist rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who currently holds the presidency of Brazil.

The judges determined that while the conspiracy did not attract widespread participation from military personnel, it ultimately led to an attack on government buildings by Bolsonaro's supporters on January 8, 2023. One judge voted in favor of Bolsonaro's acquittal, and another took a considerable time before making a decision; however, the majority was sufficient to convict and sentence him.