Brazil’s Supreme Court has handed former President Jair Bolsonaro a historic sentence of 27 years and three months in prison after finding him guilty of attempting to overturn the results of the 2022 general election.

The verdict, delivered on 11 September 2025, marks the first time a former Brazilian leader has been convicted of plotting to subvert democracy.

Bolsonaro was convicted on five counts, including leading a criminal organization, conspiring to abolish the democratic rule of law, plotting a military coup, attempting to assassinate then President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and inciting destruction of public property.

Four of the five Supreme Court justices voted to convict, with one dissenting on some charges.

The case, known as AP-2668, stemmed from evidence linking Bolsonaro and his allies to violent unrest following his electoral defeat.

Investigators revealed plans to use the military to block Lula da Silva’s inauguration in January 2023 and to disrupt Brazil’s democratic institutions.

In its ruling, the court emphasized that Bolsonaro’s actions represented “an unprecedented threat to the constitutional order” and stressed the need for accountability to safeguard democratic governance.

Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing, claiming the charges are politically motivated.

His legal team has already announced plans to appeal the sentence, arguing that the prosecution exaggerated his role in the alleged conspiracy.

The ruling has sharply divided public opinion in Brazil. Supporters of Lula welcomed the decision as a defense of democracy, while Bolsonaro’s loyal base described it as a politically driven vendetta.

Security forces remain on high alert amid fears of unrest from Bolsonaro’s far-right supporters.

International observers say the conviction sends a powerful message that even former heads of state are not above the law, particularly when the integrity of democratic institutions is at stake.