Brazil: 17-Year Prison Sentence for Bolsonaro Aides in Coup Attempt

The Supreme Court of Brazil ruled yesterday, Tuesday, to imprison seven participants in the coup attempt orchestrated by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

The sentences ranged from 7.5 to 17 years after they were convicted of involvement in actions aimed at destabilizing the country following Bolsonaro's loss in the 2022 elections.

Bolsonaro himself, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison for conspiracy to remain in power after his electoral defeat, is awaiting house arrest and is subject to a ban on using social media until his lawyers can appeal the ruling.

If all appeals are exhausted, the former president may face actual imprisonment.

Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who presided over Bolsonaro's trial, condemned these defendants for their involvement in spreading false information through "digital militias" about the electronic voting system in the elections, aiming to create chaos and destabilize the country.

Among the convicted are a federal police officer, five military personnel, and the head of a polling institute.

The U.S. government had imposed sanctions on Brazil in connection with this case, expressing its objection to what it deemed a "ferocious campaign" against its ally Trump.

In the coming weeks, the Supreme Court is expected to issue its ruling on 16 other defendants in the case.

This judicial development is part of the ongoing investigations into the coup attempt that shook Brazil's political system, reflecting the rising tensions between the far-right and the current authorities led by President Lula da Silva.