Former Brazilian President Jailed for Attempting to Overthrow Democracy
Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil, has begun serving a substantial 27-year prison sentence for his role in leading a failed coup attempt. The dramatic development occurred on Tuesday, 25th November 2025, following his conviction for trying to subvert the democratic process after his defeat in the 2022 presidential election.
From House Arrest to Federal Custody
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the overseeing judge in the case, ruled that the 70-year-old Bolsonaro must remain at the federal police headquarters in Brasilia where he has been held since his preemptive arrest the previous Saturday. The judge determined Bolsonaro was a flight risk, a concern that had previously led to his house arrest back in August. His defence team's appeals having been exhausted, their request for house arrest due to his poor health was rejected.
Bolsonaro's claims that "hallucinations" led to an incident where he tampered with his electronic ankle monitor were dismissed by Justice de Moraes. This violation directly resulted in his preemptive detention ahead of the formal sentencing.
Life Inside a Federal Police Cell
The former leader is being held in isolation, with no contact permitted with the few other inmates at the facility. His accommodation is a 12-square-metre room equipped with a bed, a private bathroom, air conditioning, a television, and a desk. While Brazilian law could have permitted a transfer to a standard penitentiary or a military facility, he will serve his time at the federal police headquarters.
The conviction, delivered by a Supreme Court panel, found Bolsonaro and several allies guilty of orchestrating a plot to overthrow Brazil's democracy. The charges were severe and multifaceted, including:
- Leading an armed criminal organisation.
- Attempting the violent abolition of the democratic rule of law.
- Plotting to assassinate political figures, including President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Vice President Geraldo Alckmin.
- Incitement of an insurrection in early 2023.
Despite the overwhelming evidence and conviction, Bolsonaro has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Political Fallout and Legacy
This sentencing marks a significant moment in Brazilian politics. Bolsonaro, a key ally of former US President Donald Trump, remains a influential figure. However, a separate ruling by Brazil's top electoral court has rendered him ineligible to run for public office until at least 2030. Interestingly, polls suggest he would be a highly competitive candidate if he were permitted to contest the next election.
Bolsonaro is not the first Brazilian ex-president to be imprisoned. Both his predecessor, Michel Temer, and his successor, Lula, have also served time behind bars, painting a complex picture of justice and power in the South American nation.
