Bolsonaro Appeals 27-Year Prison Sentence for Alleged Coup Plot

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court seeking to reduce his 27-year prison sentence for allegedly plotting a coup to stay in power after losing the 2022 presidential election. His defense team submitted an 85-page motion challenging parts of the conviction, arguing that several aspects of the ruling require clarification and revision. While the appeal does not specify the desired sentence reduction, it targets what Bolsonaro’s lawyers call “deep injustices” in the judgment.

Last month, a five-judge Supreme Court panel convicted Bolsonaro on five charges, including participation in an armed criminal organization, attempting to violently abolish democracy, and organizing a coup. Four judges voted to convict, while Justice Luiz Fux dissented, voting to acquit. Bolsonaro’s legal team emphasized Fux’s stance as evidence of “accusatory excess” and called for a “rigorous review” of the decision. The lawyers further argued that convicting Bolsonaro for both organizing a coup and attempting to abolish democracy constitutes redundant penalties.

Because only one justice dissented, Bolsonaro’s attorneys filed a motion for clarification, a limited appeal option that allows for corrections of potential judicial errors but not a full retrial. The Supreme Court is expected to review the motion in November, according to sources familiar with the proceedings. Bolsonaro maintains his innocence, insisting he did not commit any crime.

Although the former president will not begin serving his sentence until all appeals are exhausted, he has been under house arrest since August for allegedly seeking support from U.S. President Donald Trump, following sanctions imposed on Brazil and the judge handling his case.