Lawyers representing former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro have filed a new appeal seeking to overturn his conviction on coup-plotting charges, a legal move that’s already stirring heated debate across Brazil’s political spectrum. The appeal, submitted on Friday, November 29, 2025, requests that the full Supreme Court annul the criminal process that led to Bolsonaro’s 27-year prison sentence, as reported by multiple outlets including TMT News.
This latest legal maneuver comes just days after Bolsonaro’s sentencing, which marked one of the most dramatic moments in Brazil’s recent political history. The conviction—stemming from allegations that Bolsonaro plotted to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election—has sharply divided the nation, with supporters rallying to his defense and critics insisting that the rule of law must prevail.
According to TMT News, Bolsonaro’s legal team argues that the criminal process was fundamentally flawed and that the former president should be acquitted of all charges. Their appeal, submitted to the full Supreme Court, asserts that procedural errors and violations of Bolsonaro’s rights occurred during the trial. The lawyers are seeking not just a retrial, but a complete annulment of the conviction and an immediate acquittal for their client.
“We are requesting that the full Supreme Court annul the criminal process and acquit former president Jair Bolsonaro,” the legal team stated in their filing, as reported by TMT News. The defense maintains that Bolsonaro did not engage in any illegal activity and that the evidence presented was insufficient to support a conviction of such gravity.
The conviction itself has been a lightning rod for controversy. Bolsonaro, who served as president from 2019 to 2022, has long been a polarizing figure in Brazilian politics. His supporters view him as a champion of conservative values and a bulwark against corruption, while his detractors accuse him of undermining democratic institutions and stoking political unrest. The 27-year sentence handed down earlier this month is among the harshest ever given to a former head of state in Latin America for crimes related to subverting democracy.
Brazil’s Supreme Court, which has been at the center of the country’s most contentious legal and political battles in recent years, now faces the delicate task of adjudicating Bolsonaro’s appeal. Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for how Brazil handles allegations of anti-democratic conduct by its highest officials. Many are watching closely to see whether the court will uphold the conviction or side with Bolsonaro’s defense and throw out the charges.
Supporters of Bolsonaro have taken to the streets in several Brazilian cities, holding rallies and demanding that the former president be released. They argue that the conviction was politically motivated and that Bolsonaro is the victim of a judicial “witch hunt.” One demonstrator in São Paulo, speaking to local media, said, “This is not just about Bolsonaro. It’s about the future of our democracy. If they can do this to a former president, they can do it to anyone.”
On the other side, many Brazilians see the conviction as a necessary step in holding powerful figures accountable. Human rights groups and some legal scholars have praised the judiciary for standing firm in the face of political pressure. “No one is above the law, not even a former president,” said a constitutional law professor at the University of Brasília, as quoted by TMT News. “The integrity of our democratic institutions depends on the rule of law being applied equally to all.”
The charges against Bolsonaro stem from a tumultuous period following the 2022 presidential election, which he lost to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. After the results were announced, Bolsonaro and some of his allies publicly questioned the legitimacy of the vote, citing unsubstantiated claims of fraud. Tensions escalated in early 2023, when groups of Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings in Brasília, drawing international condemnation and comparisons to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The prosecution argued that Bolsonaro was the central figure in a plot to overturn the election results and maintain his grip on power, a charge the former president has consistently denied. During his trial, Bolsonaro insisted that he was merely exercising his right to free speech and that he never called for violence or the overthrow of the government. “I have always respected the Constitution and the will of the people,” Bolsonaro declared in court, according to TMT News. “I categorically reject any suggestion that I plotted a coup.”
Legal analysts say the Supreme Court’s decision on the appeal could have far-reaching consequences for Brazil’s political landscape. If the conviction is upheld, it would likely bar Bolsonaro from seeking public office in the future and could embolden prosecutors to pursue similar cases against other politicians accused of anti-democratic behavior. If the conviction is overturned, however, it could energize Bolsonaro’s base and set the stage for his political comeback.
In the meantime, the country remains on edge. Security has been heightened around the Supreme Court building in Brasília, and police have warned of potential unrest as the case proceeds. President Lula’s government, while refraining from direct comment on the ongoing legal process, has called for calm and respect for judicial decisions. “Brazil’s democracy is strong, and our institutions will prevail,” a government spokesperson told reporters.
International observers, too, are watching the case with keen interest. Brazil is the largest democracy in Latin America, and its handling of the Bolsonaro saga is seen as a bellwether for the region’s commitment to democratic norms. The United Nations and the Organization of American States have both issued statements urging due process and respect for human rights as the appeal moves forward.
For now, Bolsonaro remains in custody, awaiting the Supreme Court’s response to his legal team’s latest appeal. The timeline for a decision is uncertain, with court officials indicating that it could be weeks—or even months—before a final ruling is handed down. In the meantime, the debate over Bolsonaro’s fate continues to dominate headlines and dinner-table conversations alike.
As Brazil grapples with the fallout from the former president’s conviction and the ongoing legal battle, the world is watching to see how the country navigates this pivotal moment. The outcome of Bolsonaro’s appeal could shape not only his personal future but also the trajectory of Brazilian democracy for years to come.
