Bolsonaro found guilty

Bolsonaro testifying during his trial -- image via news video screenshot

Various Sources

UPDATE: After the fourth of five judges of the Brazilian Supreme Court justices found him guilty, they sentenced former president Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison Thursday after convicting him of attempting a coup to remain in office despite his 2022 electoral defeat.

On September 11, 2025, a panel of five Brazilian Supreme Court justices reached a majority decision to convict Jair Bolsonaro on five counts related to an attempted coup following his 2022 electoral defeat to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Three of the five justices voted to convict Bolsonaro, while one justice dissented. The charges include participation in an armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of democratic rule, organizing a coup d’état, causing damage to government property, and posing a serious threat to state assets and heritage. Bolsonaro, who denies wrongdoing, is currently under house arrest and faces a maximum prison sentence that could exceed 40 years.

The court found Bolsonaro was the leader and instigator of a coordinated plan—referred to as a “coup machine”— to remain in power despite losing the election. This plan culminated in the violent storming of Brazil’s Congress, Supreme Court, and presidential palace by Bolsonaro's supporters on January 8, 2023. Videos and other evidence were presented showing Bolsonaro undermining democratic institutions and encouraging defiance of court orders. The justices emphasized that this was a systematic attack on democratic institutions aimed at interrupting the constitutional transfer of power.

This ruling is unprecedented in Brazil’s nearly 140-year republican history, making Bolsonaro the first former president held criminally responsible for attempting to overthrow democracy. Several high-ranking military officers and Bolsonaro allies were also convicted, signaling a strict stance against anti-democratic actions. The case represents a significant effort by Brazil’s judiciary to protect its democracy from far-right attacks and disinformation campaigns.

Bolsonaro’s conviction could provoke backlash from his supporters and allied politicians. The decision may influence the 2026 presidential elections, especially since Bolsonaro has declared his intent to run despite being barred from office until 2030 due to other rulings. The ruling is also stirring reactions internationally, including criticism and countermeasures from Bolsonaro’s allies abroad, most notably Donald Trump. The Supreme Court panel still must finalize sentencing after the last justice votes. Bolsonaro’s legal team plans to appeal the verdict.

The Brazilian Supreme Court’s conviction of Jair Bolsonaro marks a critical moment in the country’s democratic history upholding constitutional order and accountability. It firmly establishes that attempts to undermine democracy, even by powerful political figures, will face legal consequences.