By AI-ChatGPT5-T.Chr.-Human Synthesis-11 September 2025

Brazilian Ex President Jair Bolsonaro was found guilty today, September 11, 2025, by a 4-1 majority of the five-justice panel of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court. This marks the first time in the nation's history that a former president has been convicted for attempting to undermine democracy.

Reuters.

🧾 Conviction Details

• Verdict: Bolsonaro was convicted on five charges, including:
  • Attempted coup d'état
  • Participation in an armed criminal organization
  • Attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law
  • Qualified damage
  • Deterioration of protected heritage property
• Majority Opinion: Justices Alexandre de Moraes, Flávio Dino, and Cármen Lúcia voted to convict. Justice Luiz Fux dissented, voting to acquit Bolsonaro of all charges. One vote remains pending Reuters.
• Sentencing: Sentencing deliberations are scheduled to begin on Friday, September 12. If convicted on all charges, Bolsonaro could face up to 43 years in prison Reuters.

🏛️ Political and Legal Context

• Trial Background: The trial stems from Bolsonaro's alleged involvement in a plot to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election, which he lost to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Supporters of Bolsonaro stormed federal government buildings in Brasília on January 8, 2023, in an attempt to disrupt the democratic process Wikipedia.
• Legal Proceedings: Bolsonaro has been under house arrest during the trial and did not attend court in person. His legal team plans to appeal the verdict to the full 11-member Supreme Court AP News.

🌍 International Reactions

• United States: Former President Donald Trump criticized the trial, linking a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports to Bolsonaro's legal situation and calling the case a "witch hunt" Politico.
• Brazilian Public: The verdict has intensified political divisions within Brazil, with Bolsonaro's supporters decrying the decision as politically motivated, while opponents view it as a necessary step to uphold democratic institutions Reuters.