Brazilian Judge Suspends Law That Could Slash Bolsonaro's 27‑Year Sentence

Brazil’s top court is now the arena for a clash between the judiciary and a conservative‑led Congress that sought to ease penalties for those convicted of attempting to overturn the 2022 election. The law, passed in December, would let convicted individuals file individual requests to cut their sentences. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva vetoed the measure in January, but Congress overrode the veto in late April, clearing the way for its implementation.

On Saturday, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the law’s suspension until the court can hold a comprehensive hearing on its constitutionality. The suspension means any request to reduce a sentence under the new rule is on hold. Bolsonaro’s legal team filed a fresh appeal on Friday, labeling the conviction as a “miscarriage of justice.”

The former president was sentenced in September to 27 years for his role in a plot to remain in power after losing to Lula. The conviction has become a rallying point for Brazil’s political right, which argues the trial is a politically motivated witch‑hunt. Opponents of the law argue it undermines accountability and could set a precedent for future leaders to evade full punishment.

By halting the law, de Moraes preserves the status quo while the Supreme Court prepares to examine whether the legislation violates constitutional principles such as equal treatment before the law. If the court ultimately upholds the law, Bolsonaro and others could file individual petitions to reduce their terms, potentially reshaping Brazil’s approach to political corruption cases.

The decision does not affect Bolsonaro’s current imprisonment but signals that any attempt to shorten his sentence will face rigorous judicial scrutiny. The next step is a full Supreme Court hearing, where the constitutionality of the law will be debated.

What to watch next: The Supreme Court’s full hearing schedule and the outcome of Bolsonaro’s new appeal will determine whether the law remains blocked or becomes a tool for sentence reductions across Brazil’s political landscape.