Brazil Judge Bars Law That Could Reduce Bolsonaros Prison Sentence

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has issued an order suspending the implementation of a law that could reduce prison sentences for certain individuals involved in a 2022 coup plot. The law, passed by Congress in December, would have applied to those convicted, including former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison in September.

The law was vetoed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in January but was overridden by a vote led by Bolsonaro’s allies in Congress in late April. However, the Supreme Court has now ordered that the law be suspended pending further review.

A group of plaintiffs have challenged the constitutionality of the law, arguing it is unconstitutional. Lawyers for those convicted must file individual requests for sentence reduction, but de Moraes’ ruling means these requests will not be processed until the court has had the opportunity to decide on the law’s constitutionality.

Bolsonaro’s lawyers have filed a new appeal to the Supreme Court, asking it to overturn what they describe as a “miscarriage of justice”. The conviction and sentencing of Bolsonaro remain a matter of controversy in Brazil, with his allies describing it as a political witch-hunt and opponents welcoming it as a necessary form of accountability.

The Supreme Court will convene a full hearing to consider appeals challenging the law’s constitutionality.

Source: Al Jazeera