Brazil’s Supreme Court on Saturday suspended the implementation of a law that would commute former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro’s prison sentence, pending the outcome of legal challenges against it.
Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 elections. The legislation under consideration could potentially free him in 2028.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the suspension until the Supreme Court can fully hear appeals challenging the constitutionality of the law, the ruling said.
What is the law?
The new law applies to all those convicted of coup plotting, including Bolsonaro. It aims to reduce waiting periods for sentence reductions and significantly reduce prison time.
The law, passed in December, was vetoed a month later by leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. However, in April, legislation led by Bolsonaro’s allies overrode the president’s veto, and the bill was enacted on Friday.
The law requires defense attorneys to file requests with the Supreme Court to recalculate sentences on a case-by-case basis.
Moraes’ decision suspends review of such cases until the full Supreme Court meets to decide on the constitutionality of the law.
Brazil’s two political parties and press association ABI separately challenged the bill this week.
Bolsonaro’s lawyers have not yet formally requested a recalculation of his sentence. But on Friday, he filed a petition for criminal review in the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the conviction.
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar