Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has appealed his 27-year prison sentence for attempting to stage a military coup following his 2022 election defeat. His lawyers filed an 85-page motion with the Supreme Court , seeking a review of the conviction and arguing that “deep injustices” had occurred during the trial.
Bolsonaro was convicted last month of multiple crimes, which include participating in an armed criminal organization, attempting to violently abolish democracy, and plotting a coup to prevent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office.
Prosecutors alleged that the plan included the assassination of Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, but failed due to lack of military support.
Bolsonaro, who remains under house arrest, has denied all wrongdoing. United States President Donald Trump has condemned the prosecution as a “witch-hunt” and responded by imposing sanctions and tariffs against Brazil. The appeal, which seeks clarification and review of the ruling, comes after four of the five Supreme Court judges voted to convict him If unsuccessful, Bolsonaro, 70, could request to serve his sentence under house arrest due to health issues and a recent skin cancer diagnosis.
