Brazil Reinforces Democratic Principles: Former President Bolsonaro Imprisoned for Failed Coup Attempt

The Brazilian justice system demonstrated its resilience by imprisoning Jair Bolsonaro, according to President Lula.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared on Wednesday that Brazil had demonstrated democratic principles to the world following the imprisonment of his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro for an unsuccessful coup attempt.

Bolsonaro, aged 70, began serving a 27-year sentence on Tuesday after being convicted of orchestrating a plot to prevent Lula from assuming office following the 2022 elections.

His high-profile trial attracted attention from US President Donald Trump, who criticized what he called a "witch hunt" against his ally and imposed sanctions and punitive tariffs on Brazil. Many of these tariffs have since been withdrawn.

"Yesterday, this country gave the world a lesson in democracy. Without any fanfare, the Brazilian justice system showed its strength, it was not intimidated by external threats," Lula stated.

"For the first time in 500 years of this country's history, you have someone imprisoned for an attempted coup," he remarked in his speech, referencing Brazil's history of coup attempts and military dictatorship between 1964 and 1985.

"You have a former president and you have four four-star generals imprisoned, proving that democracy applies to everyone."

Bolsonaro was convicted in September of heading a criminal organization that conspired to maintain his "authoritarian hold on power."

The conspiracy allegedly included plans to assassinate Lula, his vice president Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes.

According to prosecutors, the scheme failed only because of insufficient support from military leadership.

The far-right politician had been under house arrest while appealing his conviction.

However, he was taken into police custody on Saturday for tampering with his ankle monitor using a soldering iron.

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes indicated there were signs Bolsonaro was planning to escape during a planned vigil organized by his son outside his home.

Bolsonaro claimed he had acted from "paranoia" induced by medications and denied attempting to flee.

An initial appeal of his conviction was rejected earlier this month.

His lawyers had been preparing to present another appeal when the top court on Tuesday declared its judgment final and announced that all appeals had been exhausted.

Bolsonaro was ordered to immediately begin serving his sentence.

The court ruled Bolsonaro will remain detained in the officers' room—a secure space for protected prisoners—at police headquarters in Brasilia.

The room is furnished with a TV, mini-fridge, and air-conditioning.

Bolsonaro's defense lawyer Paulo Cunha Bueno described the closure of the case as "surprising" given that a "potentially admissible appeal had not yet been filed" and stated that he would file it anyway.