Eduardo Bolsonaro convicted: 4 years in prison for seeking US sanctions against Brazil
Brazil's Supreme Court convicted in absentia the son of the former president to a prison sentence and an eight-year ban from public office.
Brazil's Supreme Court: Prison sentence for Eduardo Bolsonaro
Brazil's Supreme Court convicted in absentia Eduardo Bolsonaro to four years and two months in prison after the 41-year-old sought American sanctions against his country during his father's trial. The fact is reported by Politis, citing France 24.
The third son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who resides in the United States, attempted to secure American assistance in favour of the far-right former leader. His father is already serving a 27-year prison sentence for planning a coup in 2022.
Four judges ruled in favour of the prosecution, which accused Eduardo of "threatening the judicial authorities and officials of other branches of government" and stating that he would seek American sanctions "if the proceedings do not have a good outcome" for his father.
"It is not the role of a federal deputy of Brazil to exert pressure from abroad against his country," emphasised judge Alexandre de Moraes.
Beyond the prison sentence, Eduardo Bolsonaro is barred from holding public office for eight years — a decision against which he is entitled to appeal. He had planned to stand as a candidate for the Senate in the October elections. In a statement of his own, he said: "The real purpose of this pointless proceeding is one and only: to remove my name from the elections."
Initially, Eduardo's tactic appeared to have worked. Last year, US president Donald Trump imposed high tariffs on Brazil, characterising the prosecution of the elder Bolsonaro as a "witch hunt". These tariffs were lifted after the first official meeting between left-wing president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Trump.
The Trump administration had also imposed sanctions on judge Moraes himself, which were subsequently lifted. Relations between Brazil and Washington remain strained, however, since Trump met with Eduardo's brother and presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro ahead of the elections. According to polls, Flávio Bolsonaro and Lula appear to be tied.
In December, Eduardo Bolsonaro was dismissed from the lower house due to his repeated absences from sessions.
Source: Politis