Two Brazilian Justices Find Bolsonaro Guilty of Plotting a Coup, One Acquits, As Brazil Holds Its Breath 

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Luiz Fux voted on Wednesday to annul the case against former President Jair Bolsonaro on jurisdictional issues, breaking with his fellow justices and bolstering the odds of an appeal following the verdict this week, Reuters reported. 

Even so, the high court still seems likely to convict Bolsonaro of plotting a coup to remain in power after he was voted out of office in 2022: Two justices have already voted to convict, and the remaining two were appointed by leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who defeated Bolsonaro in the 2022 election, the newswire added. 

Only one more justice finding Bolsonaro guilty is needed for a conviction, the BBC reported. A verdict is expected by Friday, and, if convicted, Bolsonaro faces more than 40 years in jail. 

Fux’s vote could help Bolsonaro’s appeal: His defense team has argued that the case should be decided by the high court’s full bench of 11 justices, including two who were appointed by the former president. 

The divergence on the court adds tension to a case that has already polarized the nation and drawn Bolsonaro supporters out in protest, with tens of thousands taking to the streets across the country over the weekend, along with counter demonstrators.  

A lengthy appeals process would also push proceedings closer to the 2026 presidential campaign, in which Bolsonaro still insists he will be a candidate. The former president was barred from running for office until 2030 in a separate case over his spreading of unfounded claims about Brazil’s electronic voting system.  

Bolsonaro is charged with leading a criminal organization, attempting to abolish the democratic rule of law, attempting a coup, and two counts of destruction of property. He denied all accusations as politically motivated. His seven co-defendants, some of whom are top military officers, who also stand accused of plotting a coup, have all denied charges. 

Alexandre de Moraes, the first justice to cast his vote, said there was “no doubt” Bolsonaro plotted a coup after losing the 2022 presidential election to his left-wing rival, known as Lula. He added that there was more than enough evidence of a plan to assassinate the current president, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and de Moraes himself.  

Bolsonaro followed the trial from his home in the capital, Brasília, where he is being kept under house arrest. He is currently banned from using social media and has yet to comment on the verdict stage of the trial.