The Chamber of Deputies of Brazil passed a bill in the early hours of this Wednesday that could significantly reduce the former president’s sentence Jair Bolsonarowho is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup. If the proposal receives Senate approval, Bolsonaro says —70 years old and imprisoned since the end of November— could get his sentence reduced to just over two years.
Brazilian MPs approved the measure 291 yes votes, 148 no votes and one abstention. The project, which now goes to the Senate, could benefit the former president and other participants in the coup attempts after the 2022 elections.
According to the suggestion, Both sets, which are classified as similar, cannot be cumulatedso that only the most severe punishment would be imposed: the one corresponding to the coup d’etat, which provides for a prison sentence of up to twelve years, instead of increasing the up to eight years provided for the other crimes.
Likewise, it is proposed that in cases where coup crimes were committed by a “crowd,” as was the case in the attack on the powers headquarters in Brasilia on January 8, 2023, the sentence could be reduced by up to two-thirds.
Another significant change is regime progress: Convicted people can move more quickly from closed to semi-open prisonsafter he has served at least one sixth, or in the case of a violent act a quarter, of the sentence.
The rapporteur of the text, MP Paulo Pereira da Silva, pointed out that Jair Bolsonaro agreed with this change could leave the closed regime in just over two years. Potential beneficiaries of the reform include senior military commanders and former ministers convicted of supporting the coup attempt after the election defeat Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
During the debate, Pereira defended the initiative as a gesture of “reconciliation” And “Correction of excesses” in the sentences imposed by the Supreme Court, although he clarified that this does not imply “Avoid responsibility“.
From the Workers’ Party (PT) bench, Lindbergh Farias sharply criticized the measure, pointing out: “This chamber welcomes the coup“.
Initially, Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party sought a full amnesty that would completely overturn the ruling, but most parties, including right-wing sectors, rejected this. Ultimately, the Ultra MPs accepted a less ambitious version. Sóstenes Cavalcante, leader of the most radical deputies, admitted that “it was the possible text” and that Bolsonaro supported the proposal.
Bolsonarism continues to deny that there was a real coup attemptbecause of its positioning The Supreme Court acted for political reasons and describes the Jan. 8 attack as simple vandalism.
The session was marked by tensions, fights and episodes of protest, including the occupation of the presidential chair by the left-wing MP Glauber Braga, who had to be forcibly removed.
In statements before his forced retirement, Braga stated: “I’ll stay here quietly“I calmly exercise my legitimate political right not to accept an amnesty for a group of coup plotters as a fait accompli.”
(With information from EFE)
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