Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro has begun serving a 27-year prison sentence after his conviction in a high-profile coup conspiracy case. (Image Credit: NBC News)
It became a historic moment for Brazil's political landscape when former president Jair Bolsonaro commenced serving 27 years in prison, ordered immediately by Brazil's Supreme Court. Delivered after Bolsonaro had exhausted all remaining appeals, the ruling represents a dramatic fall for the once-dominant right-wing leader accused of attempting to overturn the 2022 presidential election.
Bolsonaro was convicted in September for his role in orchestrating a failed coup to prevent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office after the 2022 election victory. Prosecutors outlined a scheme that allegedly involved the assassination of Lula and the installment of Bolsonaro-aligned leadership, backed by the military.
The coup effort collapsed when top military commanders refused to back the scheme. Bolsonaro, for a long time a divisive figure, insisted that he was a victim of political persecution, but the court ruled overwhelmingly against him.
Following the court order, the 70-year-old ex-army captain was moved from house arrest to a secure officers' ward inside the Federal Police Headquarters in Brasília.
According to officials, his cell includes a TV, mini-fridge and air-conditioning, but remains heavily monitored.
Authorities arrested him over the weekend after learning he had manipulated his ankle monitor, apparently using a soldering iron to tamper with the device. Justice Alexandre de Moraes indicated that Bolsonaro might have been getting ready to flee, especially given the proximity to the U.S. Embassy and his relationship with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Bolsonaro denied any escape plan, calling the incident a result of "paranoia" caused by medication.
Yes. Five of Bolsonaro's co-defendants including retired generals and ex-ministers have begun serving sentences ranging from 19 to 26 years.
His former intelligence chief, Alexandre Ramagem, sentenced to 16 years, fled to the United States and is now considered a fugitive.
The court also ordered a military tribunal to examine whether Bolsonaro should be stripped of his rank of army captain.
Bolsonaro's imprisonment removes the most influential figure of Brazil's conservative movement just months before the 2026 presidential election. His family has emphasized his fragile health, claiming he is "psychologically devastated."
Meanwhile, at 80 years old, President Lula has made clear he will run for a fourth term, setting the stage for another high-stakes political battle this time without Bolsonaro on the field.
