In a striking turn of events, two of the five Supreme Court justices tasked with adjudicating the case against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have declared him guilty of attempting to instigate a coup after his electoral loss in 2022.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the first to cast his vote, stated there was no doubt a coup attempt took place. Following him, Justice Flávio Dino affirmed Bolsonaro's guilt across all five charges detailed against him. However, a conviction will only ensue if at least one more justice concurs. The case is set to advance further when proceedings resume on Wednesday.
The implications of this trial are substantial, particularly for Bolsonaro, who could face a prison sentence exceeding four decades if found guilty on all charges. The court session is poised to hinge on the vote of Justice Luiz Fux, whose decision could create a simple majority necessary for conviction.
Justice Moraes emphasized that Bolsonaro orchestrated a criminal organization responsible for the coup attempt's foundation, which culminated in the storming of key governmental institutions by Bolsonaro's supporters in January 2023, prompting over 1,500 arrests.
Current events are exacerbating societal divisions within Brazil. Bolsonaro's supporters are increasingly claiming systemic bias within the court, pointing to associations of some justices with the current administration, while opponents stress that strong institutional responses are crucial in safeguarding democracy. As the trial unfolds, the fate of Bolsonaro and his co-defendants remains highly uncertain amid ongoing tensions.
