Brazil’s Ex-President Bolsonaro Jailed for 27 Years in Failed Power Grab Case

Brazil: Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years by the court on Tuesday and sent to jail. The decision is important because it was proved against him that after the defeat in the 2022 elections, he had tried not to give up power and plotted a coup. Many people in Brazil thought that the law would hardly reach Bolsonaro, but the court's decision proved this notion wrong.

Where did the court order to send them?

The bench of Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes decided that Bolsonaro will remain in the same prison where he was arrested on Saturday. The authorities considered him a “flight risk” and hence he was sent straight from house arrest to jail. Brazilian law says a prisoner over the age of 70 can be held in a local prison or a military facility in Brasília, but Justice Moraes said all appeals from his lawyers had already been rejected.

Why was the demand for house arrest not accepted?

Bolsonaro's legal team had appealed for house arrest citing ill health. He was in the same condition since August, but the situation changed when he damaged the ankle monitor under surveillance. Bolsonaro clarified that the mistake occurred due to “confusion,” but the court refused to accept his argument and ordered him to be sent to jail.

Which allegations were proved?

The court panel acknowledged that Bolsonaro and some of his close associates had planned to overturn the democratic system. According to the verdict, they had conspired to harm President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alcmin and Justice Moraes. It was also found that he had planned to incite demonstrations and violence as early as 2023.

Apart from this, serious charges like running an armed organization and trying to topple a democratic government by force were also proved against him. Bolsonaro has consistently rejected these allegations, but the court's decision did not take into account his arguments.

What happened to his close associates?

Many of Bolsonaro's associates are also serving sentences. Generals Augusto Heleno and Paulo Sergio Noguera are detained in a military facility. Former Justice Minister Anderson Torres is in Papuda prison, while Admiral Almir Garnier is being held in a naval facility. His former vice presidential candidate Walter Braga Neto is also in jail in Rio de Janeiro.
Judge Moraes also said that MP and former intelligence agency chief Alexandre Ramagem has fled to America.

Has the former president been to jail before?

This is the first time in Brazilian politics that a former president has been punished for a coup plot. However, he is not the only president to go to jail. Both Michel Temer and Lula have been in prison on corruption charges. At the same time, Fernando Collor de Mello is still under house arrest on corruption charges.

This decision against Bolsonaro is being considered a major turning point for Brazil, because the court has clearly indicated that no leniency will be given to those trying to weaken democracy.