"The majority of a panel of Brazilian Supreme Court justices on Thursday voted to convict former president Jair Bolsonaro of attempting a coup to remain in office despite his 2022 electoral defeat, in a ruling that will deepen political divisions and likely prompt a backlash from the United States government. The far-right politician who governed Brazil between 2019 and 2022 was found guilty on five counts by three members of a five-justice panel."
"The 70-year-old former president is currently under house arrest. His lawyers have said that they will appeal the verdict to the full Supreme Court of 11 justices. Bolsonaro, who has denied any wrongdoing, has not attended the court and has sent his lawyers. The trial has been followed by a divided society, with people backing the process against the former president, while others still support him."
"Earlier Thursday, Lucia also voted to convict Bolsonaro of organized crime in connection with the alleged coup attempt. Some have taken to the streets to back the far-right leader. Bolsonaro's trial got renewed attention after U.S. President Donald Trump linked a 50% tariff on imported Brazilian goods to his ally's legal situation, calling it a witch hunt. Observers say the U.S. might announce new sanctions against Brazil after the trial, further straining their fragile diplomatic relations."
A majority of a five-justice Brazilian Supreme Court panel convicted Jair Bolsonaro on five counts related to an alleged attempt to illegally remain in office after the 2022 election. Three justices voted guilty, one voted to acquit and one justice has yet to vote. The panel will determine a sentence that could amount to decades in prison. Bolsonaro is under house arrest, denies wrongdoing and has not appeared in court. His lawyers plan to appeal to the full 11-justice Supreme Court. The case has sharply divided Brazilian society, spurred street demonstrations by supporters and raised concerns about potential U.S. sanctions after public comments linking tariffs to the legal situation.
#jair-bolsonaro #supreme-court-conviction #coup-attempt #us-brazil-relations #political-polarization
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