Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro's Final Appeal Rejected: Must Serve 27-Year Sentence for Coup Plot

Brazil's Supreme Court delivered a final ruling on Tuesday that former president Jair Bolsonaro's conviction for coup-related offenses cannot be appealed further, confirming he must serve his 27-year prison sentence.

The 70-year-old Bolsonaro received his conviction in September for orchestrating a plan to prevent leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from assuming office following the 2022 elections, a scheme that reportedly included assassination plans.

After rejecting an appeal earlier this month, the Supreme Court has now declared the judgment conclusive, ending Bolsonaro's legal options.

The former military officer, who energized Brazil's conservative movement and secured the presidency in 2019, transforming the country's political landscape, now faces his extensive prison term.

Bolsonaro had been confined to house arrest until Saturday, when authorities transferred him to police headquarters in Brasilia after he tampered with his ankle monitor using a soldering iron.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Court cited "very serious indications of a possible attempt to flee" during a planned demonstration organized by Bolsonaro's son outside his residence.

The judge specifically mentioned the proximity of the US embassy and Bolsonaro's close ties to US President Donald Trump, suggesting he might have been planning to escape and request political asylum.

During Sunday's hearing in Brasilia, Bolsonaro claimed he "experienced a certain paranoia between Friday and Saturday due to medication," according to Supreme Court documents obtained by AFP.

He further maintained "that he had no intention of fleeing and that there was no breakage of the bracelet's strap."

In contrast, a video released by the court on Saturday showed Bolsonaro offering a different explanation, stating he had used the soldering iron on his monitoring device out of "curiosity."

It was revealed that shortly before tampering with the ankle monitor, Bolsonaro's legal team had submitted a request to the court seeking permission for him to serve his sentence at home, citing health concerns.