Brazilian Court Blocks Law That Could Cut Bolsonaro Sentence

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has suspended the implementation of a law that could sharply reduce former President Jair Bolsonaro’s 27-year prison sentence.

The decision was contained in a court document made public on Saturday. Two political parties and the Brazilian Press Association (ABI) filed separate challenges to the law this week, arguing that it was unconstitutional. The measure could allow Bolsonaro to be released as early as 2028.

Congress overrode President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s veto of the bill in April. The legislation would significantly reduce the sentence imposed on Bolsonaro, 71, who was convicted of plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election.

According to Reuters, the law would reduce Bolsonaro’s prison sentence to just over two years. It would also cut sentences for people convicted over the January 2023 riots, when Bolsonaro supporters stormed and damaged the presidential palace, the Supreme Court building and Congress.

Moraes ruled that the law should not be enforced until the Supreme Court has completed its review of two legal challenges seeking to overturn the measure.

Bolsonaro’s lawyers have not yet formally asked the court to consider reducing the former president’s sentence under the law. On Friday, they filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking a review of the criminal proceedings in an effort to overturn the conviction.

Bolsonaro began serving his 27-year sentence in November 2025 and is currently under house arrest on medical grounds. He denies wrongdoing and says he is the victim of political persecution.

(reuters, im)