Brasília, Brazil — Former President Jair Bolsonaro has been sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison for orchestrating a coup attempt aimed at retaining his hold on power after losing the 2022 presidential election. A Supreme Court panel delivered the verdict, concluding that Bolsonaro led a conspiracy to undermine the democratic process in favor of his continued rule.

The court’s decision came swiftly after finding Bolsonaro guilty on five charges, with four justices voting for a conviction and one dissenting. The ruling prohibits him from seeking public office until 2033, significantly impacting his political future ambitions.

Bolsonaro, currently under house arrest due to concerns he might flee, did not attend the trial in person but has criticized the proceedings as politically motivated. He has previously described these legal challenges as a “witch hunt” aimed at preventing his candidacy in the upcoming 2026 election.

Support for Bolsonaro has extended beyond Brazil’s borders, drawing parallels from figures such as former U.S. President Donald Trump, who expressed surprise at the sentence and likened it to his own legal battles. Trump suggested that Bolsonaro’s conviction exemplifies a broader pattern of persecution against political leaders opposing the establishment.

In another show of international concern, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the court’s ruling, labeling it an unjust act of repression. Brazil’s foreign ministry swiftly rebuked Rubio’s statement, asserting that such threats would not intimidate their democratic institutions.

As the 70-year-old Bolsonaro faces a potentially lengthy prison sentence, his legal team is preparing appeals against both the conviction and the harshness of his sentence. Legal experts, however, warn that the path to overturning the verdict may be challenging, as appeals typically require a majority of justices to support acquittal.

The charges against Bolsonaro stem from a conspiracy to maintain power through various means, including proposing a coup to military leaders and spreading unfounded claims about the integrity of the electoral system. Prosecutors argued that Bolsonaro’s actions endangered Brazil’s democratic framework, echoing sentiments from judges involved in the case.

The court’s findings also implicated several co-conspirators, including high-ranking military officials and former cabinet members, underscoring the depth of the alleged plot. While the coup did not materialize as planned, it was linked to the violent storming of government buildings by Bolsonaro supporters on January 8, 2023, an event that shocked the nation and led to mass arrests.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes emphasized the critical juncture at which Brazil found itself, stating that the country narrowly escaped sliding back into authoritarianism. The justices’ deliberations included reflections on Brazil’s historical struggles under military rule, a reminder of the fragility of its democratic gains.

The dissenting opinion came from Justice Luiz Fux, who contended that the allegations lacked merit. Still, the majority opinion warned of the dangers posed by authoritarianism, with Justice Cármen Lúcia asserting that there can be no tolerance for threats against democratic order. This landmark ruling marks a significant chapter in Brazil’s ongoing struggle with political instability and underscores the complexities of its recent past.