Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was convicted by the Supreme Court on Thursday of attempting a coup to remain in office despite his 2022 electoral defeat. The decision has come as a major blow to the populist far-right movement Bolsonaro created.

Justice Carmen Lucia asserted that: “This criminal case is almost a meeting between Brazil and its past, its present, and its future”, referring to previous attempts to overthrow democracy in the country’s history. “There was ample evidence that Bolsonaro intended to erode democracy and institutions,” she furthered.

Three judges so far have voted to convict the former president of five crimes: taking part in an armed criminal organisation, attempting to violently abolish democracy, organising a coup, and damaging government property and protected cultural assets. One judge acquitted him, and one remains to vote.

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Inputs from Reuters

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