London, UK – August 17, 2025
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is on the cusp of a political reckoning, as the country’s Supreme Court has set a verdict and sentencing date for his trial on charges of attempting to orchestrate a coup. The five-justice panel that heard the case is scheduled to deliver its decision on the five counts against him between September 2 and 12, a development that could bring a definitive end to his political career and potentially lead to a long prison sentence.
The high-stakes trial revolves around accusations that Bolsonaro, who served as president from 2019 to 2022, was the “main orchestrator and biggest beneficiary” of a plot to cling to power after his narrow electoral defeat to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The charges against him include: attempting to stage a coup, involvement in an armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, and two counts of destruction of state property. These allegations are linked to the January 8, 2023, storming of government buildings in Brasília by his supporters, an event that bore striking resemblance to the US Capitol insurrection.
Bolsonaro, who has been under house arrest since early August, has repeatedly denied the allegations, calling the trial a “witch hunt” and a political persecution aimed at sidelining him and the political right. His lawyers argue that no coup attempt was ever carried out and that Bolsonaro allowed the presidential handover to proceed, undermining claims of a power grab. The prosecution, however, has presented a detailed case, citing messages, handwritten notes, and other evidence that they say documents the conspiracy, which allegedly included plans to assassinate his political rivals.
This legal battle is the culmination of months of investigation and escalating tensions. It has drawn global attention, with prominent figures like President Donald Trump voicing support for Bolsonaro and criticizing the trial as an assault on democracy. The US has even sanctioned a top Brazilian judge involved in the case, creating a strain in diplomatic relations between the two nations.
For many in Brazil, the trial is a crucial test of the country’s democratic institutions. Supporters of the current government see the prosecution as a necessary step to hold a powerful figure accountable and reinforce the rule of law. They have hailed the judiciary’s swift action in contrast to the slower-moving legal processes in other countries. On the other hand, Bolsonaro’s fervent base views him as a martyr and the target of a politically motivated vendetta, and his house arrest has prompted protests in several cities.
The verdict will not only determine Bolsonaro’s fate, but it is also expected to have profound political implications for Brazil. A conviction, which could carry a sentence of more than 40 years, would effectively end his political life and likely influence the trajectory of Brazil’s conservative movement. However, even if convicted, legal experts believe that a series of appeals could delay any prison time for years, allowing him to maintain his influence as a leader of the opposition. The political temperature is rising in Brasília, and the verdict in September will undoubtedly mark a historic moment in Brazil’s fragile democracy.
Headlines
* A Final Reckoning: Brazil’s Supreme Court to deliver a verdict and sentence in Bolsonaro’s coup trial in September.
* Charges of Conspiracy: Former president faces five counts, including attempting to stage a coup and leading a criminal organization.
* Political Showdown: The trial is seen as a key test for Brazil’s democratic institutions and a fight for the country’s political future.
* International Fallout: The case has strained relations with the US, with President Donald Trump criticizing the legal proceedings.
* A Nation Divided: The verdict is anticipated with both hope and anger, as the country remains polarized over the trial.
