"The verdict will be historic: It marks the first time a former Brazilian head of state faced trial for attempting to overthrow the government. The 70-year-old far-right leader, a close ally of President Trump who governed Brazil from 2019 to 2022, and seven alleged co-conspirators faced accusations ranging from plotting a coup, attempting to overthrow Brazil's democratic order, and participating in an armed criminal group."
"Moraes, long seen as a nemesis of Bolsonaro, was widely expected to convict him and did not hold back in his ruling. Bolsonaro's allies view Moraes' handling of the trial and broader crackdown on disinformation in Brazil as heavy-handed. In response, the Trump administration has slapped Moraes with sanctions, stripped him of his U.S. visa and imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods. Moraes accused Bolsonaro of orchestrating efforts to undermine democracy, repeatedly calling him "the leader of a criminal organization.""
A Supreme Court panel reached a majority vote to convict former President Jair Bolsonaro of plotting a coup and criminal conspiracy. The conviction marks the first time a former Brazilian head of state faced trial for attempting to overthrow the government. Bolsonaro and seven alleged co-conspirators, including three former generals and a former head of the navy, face charges of plotting a coup, undermining democratic order, and participating in an armed criminal group. Bolsonaro has been under house arrest since August and faces additional charges tied to the Jan. 8, 2023 Brasilia riots. Proceedings will continue through Friday for the final vote and sentencing, with Justice Alexandre de Moraes leading the case and denouncing Bolsonaro as "the leader of a criminal organization."
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