Brazil’s far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro is running out of options to avoid prison, after judges on Friday rejected his appeal against a 27-year sentence for a botched coup bid.
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Bolsonaro lost the 2022 elections and was convicted in September for his efforts to prevent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking power after the polls.
Prosecutors said the scheme – which included plans to assassinate Lula and a top Supreme Court judge – failed only due to a lack of support from military top brass.
A panel of Supreme Court judges weighing Bolsonaro’s appeal all voted to uphold the sentence last week. The result was not considered official until midnight on Friday.
A source at the court, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that once the result of the hearing is published – which could take place as early as Monday – the defence will have five days to submit a new appeal.
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However, this appeal can be “quickly” quashed by lead judge Alexandre de Moraes, who will then publish the final judgment.