In a dramatic turn for Brazil’s political landscape, former President Jair Bolsonaro has mounted a legal challenge against his 27-year prison sentence for orchestrating a failed coup after his 2022 electoral defeat. The move, which has reignited tensions both within Brazil and on the international stage, comes as Bolsonaro’s lawyers submitted an 85-page appeal to the Supreme Court earlier this week, seeking to overturn or at least reduce the lengthy sentence that has left the right-wing leader under house arrest since August 2025.
According to The Associated Press, Bolsonaro’s legal team argued that the original conviction was riddled with “profound injustices.” Their appeal, filed on Monday, October 27, 2025, claims that the Supreme Court’s decision contained “ambiguities, omissions, contradictions and obscurities.” The lawyers insist that the charges of organizing a coup and attempting to violently abolish democracy essentially overlap, making the cumulative penalties imposed on Bolsonaro unjust. They also referenced the lone dissenting voice on the five-judge panel, Justice Luiz Fux, who argued that even if Bolsonaro had planned a coup, he “deliberately interrupted the course of events” and did not follow through with the plot.
Bolsonaro’s conviction in September 2025 capped a fraught chapter in Brazilian history. The Supreme Court found him guilty of five crimes, including participating in an armed criminal organization, attempting to violently abolish the democratic rule of law, and organizing a coup. Prosecutors alleged the plot was not only about overturning the election results but even included plans to assassinate President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The plan ultimately failed, prosecutors said, because Bolsonaro could not secure the backing of Brazil’s military leaders.
Bolsonaro has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing. In a statement shared with AFP, his lawyers described the conviction as a reflection of “deep injustices.” The appeal did not specify how much of a reduction in the sentence they were seeking, focusing instead on challenging the legal reasoning behind the verdict.
Legal experts, however, are skeptical about the likelihood of Bolsonaro’s appeal succeeding. João Pedro Padua, a law professor at Fluminense Federal University, noted that this type of motion—known as a motion for clarification—rarely leads to a substantial change in sentencing. “To file an appeal that could substantially modify the decision, the Supreme Court usually requires at least two dissenting votes,” Padua told The Associated Press. Since Justice Fux was the only dissenter, Bolsonaro’s options are limited. Moreover, while there is technically no limit to the number of clarification motions that can be filed, the court may view repeated filings as a stalling tactic and declare the judgment final.
Thiago Bottino, a law professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, echoed this sentiment in an interview with AFP, explaining that while it is unusual for the Supreme Court to reverse its rulings, it has occasionally revised sentence lengths in the past. Still, the odds are slim. “Defendants sentenced by the Supreme Court usually need two judges to diverge on a ruling to request an appeal that could significantly change the decision,” Bottino said, referencing a Reuters report.
The fallout from Bolsonaro’s conviction has extended far beyond Brazil’s borders. U.S. President Donald Trump, a vocal supporter of Bolsonaro, denounced the prosecution as a “witch-hunt” and cited the case as a reason for imposing a 50% tariff on Brazilian imported goods in July 2025. Trump also imposed sanctions on Brazilian officials, a move that triggered what experts described as the lowest point in U.S.-Brazil relations in over two centuries. The diplomatic freeze was so pronounced that it overshadowed trade negotiations and other bilateral issues.
Yet, there have been recent signs of thawing. According to The Associated Press, President Lula and Trump spoke by phone and even met last weekend at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, signaling an effort to mend fences after months of tension.
Back in Brazil, the legal saga continues to stir controversy and debate. Seven other close aides were convicted alongside Bolsonaro for their roles in the coup plot. All except Mauro Cid, who struck a plea deal, have filed appeals, as confirmed by a Supreme Court statement on Tuesday. The justices are expected to rule on these appeals between November 7 and November 14, 2025. Under Brazilian law, Bolsonaro will not begin serving his prison sentence until every possible appeal has been exhausted—a process that could stretch on for months, if not longer.
The public reaction in Brazil has been predictably polarized. Some protesters have taken to the streets to denounce any efforts to pardon Bolsonaro, while others argue that the prosecution is politically motivated. The comparisons to the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol—when Trump supporters stormed Congress after his defeat to Joe Biden—have only sharpened these divisions, with both sides invoking the language of democracy, justice, and political persecution.
Bolsonaro’s personal circumstances have added another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama. At age 70, he has faced a string of health issues, including a recent diagnosis of skin cancer and a brief hospitalization in September 2025. Should his appeal fail, Bolsonaro’s lawyers have indicated that he could request to serve his sentence under house arrest due to poor health—an option available under Brazilian law for elderly or infirm defendants.
As for the Supreme Court, it faces a delicate balancing act. On one hand, it must uphold the rule of law and the integrity of Brazil’s democratic institutions. On the other, it must navigate the political minefield of a high-profile case that has captured the world’s attention and exposed deep rifts in Brazilian society. For now, all eyes are on the court’s upcoming decisions and the broader implications for democracy in Brazil and beyond.
Whatever the outcome, the case against Jair Bolsonaro is a watershed moment for Brazil—a test of its judiciary, its democracy, and its ability to reckon with the legacies of political turmoil. As the nation waits for the next chapter, the world is watching closely, aware that the stakes could hardly be higher.
