Jair Bolsonaro Convicted for Attempted Coup, Military's Role Under Scrutiny in Brazil

Former President Jair Bolsonaro Convicted of Attempted Coup

Brazil's Supreme Federal Court delivered a historic verdict on September 11, 2025, convicting former President Jair Bolsonaro of attempting to overthrow democracy and plotting a coup. Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and 3 months in prison following a trial that concluded with four of the five justices on the panel finding him guilty on multiple counts. This marks the first time a former Brazilian president has been convicted of such charges.

The charges against Bolsonaro included attempting a coup, being part of an armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, and damaging government property and protected cultural assets. Prosecutors presented evidence that Bolsonaro's actions, spanning from 2021 to early 2023, aimed to subvert the 2022 election results, which he lost to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. These actions included casting doubt on Brazil's electronic voting system, drafting decrees to annul election outcomes, and inciting the January 8, 2023, riots where his supporters stormed key government buildings in Brasília.

Military Involvement and Lingering Concerns

The conviction extended beyond Bolsonaro, as the Supreme Court panel also found seven of his close allies guilty, including five military officers. This represents a significant precedent, marking the first instance since Brazil became a republic that military officials have been punished for their involvement in an attempted overthrow of democracy.

Despite the convictions, concerns persist regarding the broader 'coup mentality' within Brazil's armed forces. While the institutional military ultimately did not provide full backing for Bolsonaro's alleged plot, leading to its failure, some military personnel were directly involved. Testimony from military officials indicated Bolsonaro had planned a self-coup with military support. However, former Army and Air Force commanders reportedly rejected Bolsonaro's proposals to annul election results and warned him of legal repercussions.

Researchers and former officers have voiced apprehension that the armed forces as institutions have not been fully held accountable, and that the underlying mindset that historically led to military interventions remains. Retired Colonel Rubens Pierrotti Jr. stated, 'The risk of a new coup remains very much alive,' pointing to military academies where the 1964 military overthrow is reportedly taught as a 'revolution' rather than a coup.

Legal Precedents and Future Outlook

This criminal conviction follows an earlier ruling by Brazil's Superior Electoral Court on June 30, 2023, which barred Bolsonaro from running for public office until 2030. That decision was based on his abuse of power and unfounded attacks on the electronic voting system, distinct from the current criminal charges.

Bolsonaro is currently under house arrest in Brasília, having been placed there earlier for violating pre-trial conditions. He retains the right to appeal the Supreme Federal Court's ruling. The conviction is seen by many as a crucial step in strengthening Brazil's democratic institutions and holding powerful figures accountable for actions against the rule of law.