The sentence handed down last month to the far-right politician has become a major issue in relations between Brazil and the United States.
Published October 28, 2025
Lawyers for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have appealed a 27-year prison sentence handed down last month for his role in the failed military coup that followed his defeat in the 2022 election.
The 85-page petition filed with the Supreme Court on Monday seeks a review of some of the convictions, including Bolsonaro’s.
Recommended stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
US President Donald Trump has branded the prosecution of far-right allies a “witch hunt”, making it a key issue in relations with Brazil.
Bolsonaro was convicted in September of trying to prevent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from seizing power after the 2022 vote.
The effort saw a mob storm a government building a week after Lula’s inauguration, drawing comparisons to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol after Trump lost the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden.
The motion filed by Bolsonaro’s lawyers argued that there was “grave injustice” in Bolsonaro’s conviction and sentence. He did not say how much of a reduction in sentence he would seek.
failed coup
Last month, four of the five judges on the Supreme Court’s panel found Bolsonaro guilty of five crimes, including participating in an armed criminal organization, attempting to violently overthrow democracy and organizing a coup.
Prosecutors said the plot, which included the assassinations of Mr. Lula, Vice President Gerard Alkmin and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, failed only because it lacked the support of military leaders.
President Trump announced punitive tariffs on Brazil in July, citing dissatisfaction with prosecutors when imposing sanctions on Brazilian officials.
Bolsonaro, who has been under house arrest since August, has denied any wrongdoing. Under Brazilian law, he cannot be sent to prison until all legal avenues have been exhausted.
Judicial amendment possible
Thiago Bottino, a law professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, told AFP that while it is unusual for the Supreme Court to overturn a verdict, it has made changes in the past, including the length of sentences.
According to Reuters, defendants sentenced to the Supreme Court typically need two justices who disagree on the decision to seek an appeal that could significantly change the sentence.
With just one judge dissenting, Bolsonaro’s lawyers filed a smaller motion seeking clarification or review of specific parts of the conviction.
If his appeal is rejected, Bolsonaro, 70, could request to serve his sentence under house arrest due to his poor health.
He was recently diagnosed with skin cancer and was briefly hospitalized last month for other health issues.
