Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro has been convicted of plotting a military coup to stay in power after his 2022 election loss.
The country’s Supreme Court announced the ruling after securing the minimum three votes needed for conviction. One justice voted to acquit, while another has yet to deliver a verdict. The charges carry potential penalties exceeding 40 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Friday.
Justice casts decisive vote
Justice Cármen Lúcia delivered the decisive vote on Thursday, declaring that Bolsonaro instigated the Jan. 8, 2023, riots, where thousands of his supporters stormed and vandalized the Supreme Court, Congress, and the presidential palace in Brasília.
She found him guilty on five charges: attempting to stage a coup, leading an armed criminal organization, attempting to abolish democratic rule through violence, and two counts related to property destruction during the attacks.
Defense calls the case political
Bolsonaro’s defense has argued the trial is politically motivated and is preparing to appeal. Under court rules, if two of the five justices vote to acquit, the defense can request that the full Supreme Court—made up of 11 justices—review the case. The final vote from Justice Cristiano Zanin will be closely watched.
#Bolsonaro CONVICTED by #Brazil supreme court
Former president and Trump ally found GUILTY of plotting a #coup in 2022
He says it’s a witch hunt – trial overseen by anti-free speech Justice Moraes pic.twitter.com/LCAuGEVRyf
— Michael Ashura (@MichaelAshura) September 11, 2025
Bolsonaro absent from trial
The former president has not attended the final phase of the trial; his lawyers said he is following the proceedings from his home in Brasília due to health reasons. Bolsonaro was stabbed in the stomach during the 2018 campaign and has suffered recurring complications since.
He has been under house arrest since early August, after police alleged that he and his son, Eduardo, attempted to interfere with the case. His lawyer was present in court but left after Justice Lúcia declared Bolsonaro guilty of attempting a coup and leading a criminal conspiracy before she concluded her remarks.
Prosecutors outline wider plot
Prosecutors stated that the charges extend beyond the events of January 8. They accused Bolsonaro of laying the groundwork for a coup months earlier by pressuring military commanders and spreading unfounded claims of election fraud.
With the vote of Minister Carmen Lucia, Brazil's Supreme Court has formed a majority. Ex-president Jair Bolsonaro is convicted of leading an attempted coup d'état. The maximum prison sentence is 44 years. pic.twitter.com/T7kflxGlRc
— BrianMier (@BrianMteleSUR) September 11, 2025
They also alleged he knew of a plot to assassinate President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Lula’s running mate, and a Supreme Court justice.
A historic conviction
Bolsonaro, 70, is the first former Brazilian president to be convicted of attempting to overturn democratic rule through a coup plot. The ruling marks a dramatic turn for the far-right leader, whose four years in office were marred by controversy and division.
With sentencing imminent and appeals pending, Brazil’s top court has placed its former president at the center of a legal and political storm that could shape the country’s democracy for years to come.
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