Background on Jair Bolsonaro and His Conviction
Jair Bolsonaro, the former ultraconservative president of Brazil (2019-2022), was found guilty of leading a plot to prevent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from assuming the presidency after the 2022 elections. The conspiracy reportedly included plans to assassinate Lula da Silva, vice president Geraldo Alckmin, and judge Alexandre de Moraes.
Bolsonaro’s Current Status
Currently serving his 27-year sentence in a federal police detention center in Brasilia, Bolsonaro previously was under house arrest. His transfer to prison came after attempting to burn off his tracking ankle bracelet.
Protests Across Brazil
On Sunday, thousands gathered in cities across Brazil to express their outrage over a law that drastically reduces Bolsonaro’s sentence. The protests were organized by social movements and left-wing organizations following the lower house’s approval of the bill in the early hours of Wednesday.
- Major cities, including Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo, saw demonstrations.
- Caetano Veloso led a “musical protest” on Copacabana Beach, echoing a similar call in September against amnesty for Bolsonaro and others convicted of undermining democracy.
- In Brasilia, protesters rallied near the National Museum and marched to Congress, carrying signs that read “No Amnesty” and “Congress, Enemy of the People.”
Thaís Nogueira, a 45-year-old teacher dressed in red (the color associated with the Workers’ Party of Lula), told AFP, “They legislate without considering the people. Seeing these protests should make them realize they need to exercise caution.”
Impact of the Approved Legislation
The approved bill modifies criteria for calculating penalties related to crimes against the democratic state of law, among other changes. If passed by the Senate next Wednesday, Bolsonaro could be eligible for conditional release in less than two years, according to the bill’s author.
“They legislate without considering the people,” said Thaís Nogueira, a 45-year-old teacher dressed in red, the color associated with the Workers’ Party of Lula. “Seeing these protests should make them realize they need to exercise caution.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Jair Bolsonaro? Bolsonaro was Brazil’s ultraconservative president from 2019 to 2022. He was convicted of leading a plot to prevent Lula da Silva from assuming the presidency after the 2022 elections.
- What is the controversial law about? The approved bill modifies criteria for calculating penalties related to crimes against the democratic state of law. If passed, it could lead to Bolsonaro’s conditional release in less than two years.
- Why are people protesting? Protesters argue that the law undermines democracy and seeks to reduce Bolsonaro’s sentence unjustly. They also demand the Senate reject an amendment that restricts indigenous territorial rights.
Additional Context on Flávio Bolsonaro and the Amnesty Call
The sentence reduction proposal resurfaced days after Bolsonaro designated his eldest son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, as his successor for the 2026 elections. Flávio later stated he would withdraw his candidacy if his father received amnesty.
Bolsonarist lawmakers had considered various options to alleviate his father’s punishment, including an amnesty that lost momentum following massive September protests.
Protesters also demand the Senate approve an amendment incorporating the “Marco Temporal” thesis, which restricts indigenous territorial rights.
