Post by : Rameen Ariff

On Tuesday, Brazil’s Supreme Court conclusively determined that Jair Bolsonaro, the former president, has exhausted all legal avenues regarding his coup-related conviction. This ruling cements his 27-year prison sentence, drawing one of the most tumultuous chapters in Brazilian politics to a close.

The 70-year-old Bolsonaro was found guilty in September for conspiring to obstruct President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office after his victory in the 2022 elections. The charges also involved a purported assassination plot linked to his attempts to block his opponent from ascending to power.

This month, Bolsonaro’s defense team petitioned the Supreme Court to review the sentence, but the request was denied. With the ruling finalized, he must now serve the complete duration of his sentence.

Previously under house arrest, Bolsonaro was taken into custody on Saturday by police in Brasilia. Authorities reported that he attempted to manipulate his court-ordered ankle monitor with a soldering iron, sparking concerns about a potential escape plan.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes noted that investigators discovered “serious indications” suggesting Bolsonaro might have intended to flee, given the proximity of his residence to the US Embassy and his prior associations with Donald Trump, leading to speculation he might seek asylum.

Bolsonaro has refuted any allegations of attempting to escape. During proceedings on Sunday, he expressed feelings of “paranoia” due to medication and maintained that he never tampered with the ankle monitor. In a video presented by the court, he claimed any interaction with the soldering iron was purely out of curiosity.

His legal representatives recently sought approval for him to serve his sentence at home due to health issues, but the court has dismissed that request.

This landmark decision sets the stage for Brazil to imprison a former president for one of the most serious political offenses in its contemporary history.

#Global