Brazil’s Federal Court has sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison on charges of corruption, obstruction of justice, and undermining democratic institutions.
The ruling marks a historic moment in the country’s political history, as Bolsonaro becomes the first former head of state since the military dictatorship to face such a harsh penalty.
The court found Bolsonaro guilty of orchestrating a widespread corruption scheme involving public contracts and misappropriation of state funds, as well as allegedly seeking to interfere with ongoing investigations during his presidency. Prosecutors argued that his actions deepened institutional crises, eroded trust in democratic processes, and endangered Brazil’s political stability.
Bolsonaro, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, called the verdict “political persecution” and vowed to appeal to higher courts. His legal team has already filed motions seeking to overturn the conviction, claiming procedural flaws and bias within the judiciary. Despite these appeals, the court ordered immediate enforcement of the sentence, raising uncertainty about Bolsonaro’s political future and the broader direction of Brazil’s conservative movement.
Public reaction has been deeply polarized. Supporters protested outside government buildings in several cities, accusing the judiciary of overreach, while critics of Bolsonaro celebrated the verdict as a landmark accountability case. International observers have expressed concern over potential civil unrest but also noted that the ruling reaffirms the independence of Brazil’s democratic institutions.
Analysts say Bolsonaro’s imprisonment could reshape the Brazilian right, leaving a vacuum of leadership ahead of the next election cycle. Meanwhile, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva urged citizens to remain calm, emphasizing that “justice must be respected, no matter who is involved.”
