Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years in prison for coup plot
The first panel of Brazil’s Supreme Court on Thursday (Sep. 11) concluded the trial on the coup plot.
By a vote of four to one, the justices convicted former President Jair Bolsonaro and seven allies for the crimes of armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, coup d’état, aggravated damage caused by violence and serious threat, and deterioration of listed heritage sites.
Most of the defendants were sentenced to over 20 years in prison.
Despite the length of their sentences, Bolsonaro and the other defendants will not be imprisoned immediately. They can still appeal the decision and try to overturn the convictions. Only if the appeals are rejected will the prison sentences be enforced.
The sentences handed down are as follows:
- Jair Bolsonaro, former president of Brazil – 27 years and three months;
- Walter Braga Netto, former minister under Bolsonaro and vice-presidential running mate on the 2022 ticket – 26 years;
- Almir Garnier, former Navy commander – 24 years;
- Anderson Torres, former minister of justice and former secretary of security for the Federal District – 24 years;
- Augusto Heleno, former head for institutional security – 21 years;
- Paulo Sérgio Nogueira, former minister of defense – 19 years;
- Mauro Cid, former aide-de-camp to Bolsonaro – two years in an open regime and guaranteed freedom in exchange for plea bargaining; and
- Alexandre Ramagem, former director of the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (ABIN) – 16 years, one month, and 15 days.
Ramagem was convicted only of the crimes of armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, and coup d’état.
He is a federal representative and had part of the charges against him suspended. The measure applies to crimes of aggravated damage caused by violence and serious threat against federal property, with considerable harm to the victim and deterioration of listed heritage sites, both related to the pro-coup riots of January 8.
