Bolsonaro Begins 27-Year Jail Term Over Coup Plot
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has begun serving a 27-year prison sentence after being convicted of orchestrating a coup attempt following his defeat in the 2022 election. His appeals were exhausted earlier this week, after which authorities ordered his immediate transfer from house arrest to a secure federal police facility in Brasilia.
Charges Linked To Plot To Overturn Election
Courts found Bolsonaro guilty of leading a conspiracy aimed at overturning the election of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The charges included attempting to undermine democratic institutions and supporting plans that involved violence against elected leaders. Investigators concluded that the coup effort ultimately failed due to a lack of military backing.
Arrest Triggered By Device Tampering
Bolsonaro had spent more than 100 days under house arrest before being remanded to prison. His transfer was ordered after he attempted to tamper with his electronic ankle monitor. He later claimed the act was influenced by hallucinations caused by a change in medication, but the court treated the incident as a serious breach and a potential flight risk.
Detention Conditions And Political Impact
The former president, now 70, is being held in an isolated cell under tight security. Under Brazil’s electoral laws, he is barred from contesting public office for at least eight years. Analysts say the conviction marks an unprecedented moment in Brazil’s political history, signalling strong judicial resistance to attempts at undermining constitutional order.
