Jair Bolsonaro's conviction: Will the disgraced former president of Brazil really do time?

Last week, Brazil made history when its supreme court convicted the country’s former far right president Jair Bolsonaro, and seven other defendants, of attempting a coup after his failed re-election bid in 2022. Bolsonaro was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison.

The verdict brings an end to Brazil’s historical leniency in dealing with military men who have tried to overthrow democratically elected governments.

Thousands of Brazilians took to the streets to celebrate the sentencing, while the leaders of neighbouring countries like Chile and Colombia paid tribute to the country’s democratic institutions.

However, some members of the Brazilian congress immediately embarked on efforts to secure an amnesty for Bolsonaro and his co-conspirators.

And Brazilian diplomats continue to anxiously await a formal response from the US, where president Donald Trump said he was “very unhappy” with the verdict and US secretary of state Marco Rubio described the trial as a “witch hunt”.

Will Trump, who has already imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Brazil, impose further sanctions in response to the conviction?

Can Bolsonaro’s supporters secure an amnesty for the divisive former leader? And what does this all mean for next year’s presidential election in Brazil?

Today, on In The News, Brazil’s Bolsonaro is facing 27 years in prison, but will he do his jail time?

Irish Times South America contributor Tom Hennigan discusses the national and international reaction to the Bolsonaro trial and verdict.

Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon and Andrew McNair. 

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