Brazil's Supreme Court Sentences Eduardo Bolsonaro to 4 Years and 2 Months for Coercion Over Actions in U.S.

The First Panel of Brazil’s Supreme Court (STF) unanimously sentenced former federal lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP) to four years and two months in prison under an initial semi-open regime for the crime of coercion during a judicial proceeding. The punishment stems from his actions in the United States to intimidate Brazil’s judiciary and prevent the investigation of the alleged coup plot.

With the conviction, the former president’s son becomes "ficha suja" (barred under Brazil’s clean record law) and will be unable to run for office for up to eight years. He must also pay a fine of around R$150,000 ($30,000) and will lose his position as a Federal Police clerk. The decision can still be appealed.

The rapporteur, Justice Alexandre de Moraes, said that "it is not the role of a Brazilian federal lawmaker to lobby abroad against his own country" and that the former congressman’s actions "did not intimidate this court." Moraes rejected all preliminary arguments raised by the Federal Public Defender’s Office (DPU), including criticism of service by public notice.

In a statement, Eduardo criticized the justice and said the trial has "only one" goal: "to remove my name from the elections." The defense argued that Moraes would be a direct victim of the actions attributed to the defendant and could not preside over the case.

The STF ordered immediate notification of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). Since Eduardo is in the U.S., the Brazilian government may request his inclusion on Interpol’s wanted list.

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