Brazil’s Congress on Thursday voted to override a presidential veto and adopt a bill to reduce former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro’s 27-year prison sentence for plotting a coup, in a blow to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The legislation indicates a weakening of Lula’s position in Congress ahead of his bid for re-election in the country’s October presidential election.
It is unclear how much time Bolsonaro would serve for his conviction, but analysts said the move could shave 20 years off his sentence.
Photo: AFP
The conservative opposition successfully drew centrist senators and federal deputies to comfortably override Lula’s veto of last year’s sentencing bill.
Bolsonaro supporters expressed confidence in the outcome even before the voting began.
“This is a first and much awaited step by those who are afflicted. The next stage is full amnesty,” said Brazilian Senator Espiridiao Amin, a Bolsonaro ally.
The bill reduces prison terms for several crimes, including those against the democratic rule of law and leading a coup when a person is convicted in both.
The new legislation states that the sentence should be based only on the count carrying the highest sentence.
Ahead of the vote, the president of Brazil’s Senate said only cases similar to ones that led to convictions for Bolsonaro, his allies and supporters in the attempted coup trial would be eligible for the softer penalties.
Pedro Uczai, the Workers’ Party whip in Brazil’s lower house, said he would appeal to the Brazilian Supreme Court to annul the legislation, as it was unconstitutional.
Bolsonaro allies in Congress said the move benefits supporters who were sentenced for destroying government buildings in Brasilia on Jan. 8, 2023.
Lawyer Alexandre Knopfholz said the bill could reduce penalties for crimes committed by crowds, expanding legal benefits for many of those charged with the destruction of government buildings.
Bolsonaro “will not be automatically released” even if the new legislation withstands the Supreme Court’s scrutiny, he said.
“They want to release Bolsonaro, his jailed generals and stop federal police investigations that implicate them,” said lawmaker Lindberg Farias, a Lula ally. “This is a day of infamy.”
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