Brazil judge bars law that could reduce Bolsonaro's 27-year prison sentence

"Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has barred the implementation of a law that could dramatically reduce the prison sentence of former President Jair Bolsonaro for involvement in a coup plot after his loss in the 2022 election. De Moraes ordered the law's suspension on Saturday until the Supreme Court can convene a full hearing to consider appeals challenging its constitutionality."

"The Supreme Court sentenced the former far-right president to 27 years in prison in September, but a law passed by Brazil's conservative-majority Congress in December would apply to Bolsonaro and others convicted in the plot, paving the way for reductions in their sentences. President Lula vetoed the bill in January, but a vote led by Bolsonaro's allies in Congress overrode the veto in late April."

"Plaintiffs have subsequently asked the Supreme Court to overturn the bill, stating it is unconstitutional. Lawyers for those convicted must file individual requests for sentence reduction. The ruling by de Moraes essentially suspends such requests until the court has had the opportunity to decide on the law's constitutionality."

"Bolsonaro's conviction and sentencing remain a matter of controversy in Brazil, where his allies have decried it as a political witch-hunt. Opponents have welcomed it as a necessary form of accountability, from which not even former presidents are exempt."

A Supreme Court justice suspended a law that would reduce prison sentences for people convicted in a coup plot after the 2022 election. The suspension prevents implementation of sentence reductions until the Supreme Court holds a full hearing to consider appeals challenging the law’s constitutionality. Bolsonaro was convicted and sentenced to 27 years in prison in September for involvement in efforts to remain in office after losing to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. A December law passed by a conservative-majority Congress would have applied to Bolsonaro and others, enabling sentence reductions. Lula vetoed the bill in January, but Congress overrode the veto in late April. Plaintiffs asked the Supreme Court to overturn the bill, and lawyers must file individual requests for reductions, which are effectively paused by the suspension.

Read at www.aljazeera.com