Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro faces an unprecedented trial, accused of orchestrating a failed coup after losing his 2022 re-election bid. A panel of five judges will determine the fate of Bolsonaro and several high-ranking military officials, marking the first time in Brazil’s history that a former president could be imprisoned for such charges. The trial stems from the January 8th, 2023 storming of government buildings by Bolsonaro supporters, an event that echoed the US Capitol attack two years prior.
The case has drawn international attention, with US President Donald Trump imposing tariffs on Brazilian imports in protest of what he calls a “witch hunt”. As Bolsonaro remains under house arrest, the trial could result in a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, potentially setting a precedent for how democracies handle attempts to overturn election results. The outcome may have far-reaching implications for Brazil’s political landscape and serve as a model for other nations grappling with similar challenges to their democratic institutions.
Al Jazeera’s Monica Yanakiew reports from Brasilia, Brazil.
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