Brazil Judge Blocks Law That Could Reduce Bolsonaros Prison Term

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has issued an order suspending the implementation of a law that would allow for reduced prison sentences for certain individuals convicted in connection with a plot to remain in office after the 2022 presidential election.

The law, which was passed by Brazil’s Congress in December, would have applied to those convicted, including former President Jair Bolsonaro. However, de Moraes has ordered its suspension pending further review by the Supreme Court.

Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years in prison in September for his involvement in the plot. His conviction has been the subject of controversy, with some arguing that it is a miscarriage of justice and others seeing it as a necessary form of accountability.

A law passed by Congress would have allowed for reduced sentences for those convicted under the new legislation. However, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva vetoed the bill in January, but it was overridden by Congress in late April.

Plaintiffs who were convicted in connection with the plot have asked the Supreme Court to overturn the law, citing concerns over its constitutionality. Lawyers for those convicted must now file individual requests for sentence reduction, pending the court’s decision on the law’s constitutionality.

In a separate development, lawyers for Bolsonaro have filed an appeal to the Supreme Court, asking it to review what they claim is a “miscarriage of justice”. The Supreme Court will convene a full hearing to consider appeals challenging the constitutionality of the law.

Source: Al Jazeera