Shocking Brazil Coup Verdict: Former President Found Guilty in Historic Trial
Brazil Coup Verdict: Former Right-Wing Leader Found Guilty
Breaking News Update
Well, let’s go back to our breaking news this hour: Brazil’s former right-wing presidential candidate has been found guilty of attempting a Brazil coup. Which culminated in his supporters breaking into and then vandalising government buildings after he lost the last election. The verdict, along with other charges that he’s facing, means that he could be looking at a decades-long prison sentence. Let’s go live to Brasilia, where that court case has been proceeding. We can speak to Gustavo Rivero, editor-in-chief of the Brazilian Report.
Expert Insights from Brasilia
Gustavo, thanks for joining us on BBC News. This news just came to us in the last half hour, so was it expected or anticipated that he would be found guilty?
Thanks for having me. Yes, the trial was not necessarily anticipated because it was mysterious. I mean, when we look at the trajectory of the justices that are involved in this case, we pretty much knew how they would lean, and it has gone so far according to expectations. There are five justices voting on this case; four have already voted, and we have a 3-1 score to convict all eight defendants, including Bolsonaro, who is set to be convicted for leading a criminal investigation and become the first president ever convicted for staging a coup.
Sentencing Possibilities
And this means when we get to the sentencing hearing, Bolsonaro is expected to face at least 30 years in prison. His sentencing could go north of 40 years in prison. It remains to be seen whether he will serve that in house arrest or in a federal police facility, as is customary for former heads of state. But now what is going to be interesting is to see how that affects Bolsonaro and the far-right movement, which has grown much larger in Brazil, and some say that this trial does not end tomorrow when sentencing is expected to be done, but next year when we have an election.
Political Fallout
Because conservatives that are trying to cater to his most hardcore supporters—about a quarter to one-third of the Brazilian electorate—promise to grant amnesty to Bolsonaro on day one after they step into office. So this will also be a big issue in next year’s presidential election.
International Reactions and Trade Tensions
There is quite the international element to this as well, Gustavo, isn’t there? I mean, even in terms of trade talks between Brazil and the US. We’ve seen President Trump linking this trial to the need, as he sees it, to impose big tariffs on Brazil.
Yes, exactly. I would say that the international element is one the Brazilian Supreme Court has thoroughly exposed. The strategy of far-right movements that are employed worldwide is very clear. And like you said, Donald Trump has used this Brazil coup trial as one of the justifications for punishing Brazil with 50% tariffs on most of our exports, which have already had a major impact on Brazilian trading data in August.
And he has targeted the Supreme Court justices. Eight of the eleven justices have had their US visas cancelled. And one of them, who oversees this case, has been targeted by US sanctions, excluding him from the global financial system. So it has taken a heavy toll on this justice to pursue the case.
Response from Current President
And I know this has just come down in the last few moments, but has there been any response yet from the current president?
No, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who was the victim of the coup attempt, has tried his best not to comment on this because he does not want the accusation of meddling with the trial. He wants to show that the Brazilian branches of the Supreme Court are carrying out this Brazil coup case without any interference from the government.
Shocking brazil coup verdict: former president found guilty in history
Shocking Brazil coup verdict: Former president found guilty in history. This landmark ruling marks the first time a former Brazilian leader has been convicted for staging a coup, sending shockwaves through politics, trade, and international relations.
Conclusion
The Brazil coup verdict marks a turning point in the nation’s democracy, sending a strong message against political extremism. As the former president faces decades in prison, Brazil’s political future, international relations, and upcoming elections will be deeply shaped by this historic ruling.
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