Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday that Brazil “gave the world a lesson in democracy” after his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, was jailed for a failed coup attempt.
Bolsonaro, 70, began serving a 27-year prison sentence on Tuesday after being found guilty of plotting to prevent Lula from taking office after the 2022 election.
His dramatic trial caught the attention of US President Donald Trump, who condemned a “witch hunt” against his ally and imposed sanctions and punitive tariffs on Brazil. Many of those tariffs have since been abolished.
– Yesterday, this country gave the world a lesson in democracy. Without any fanfare, the Brazilian judicial system showed its strength and did not allow itself to be intimidated by external threats – said Lula.
– For the first time in the 500 years of this country’s history, you have someone imprisoned for attempting a coup – he added, recalling that Brazil had several coup attempts and lived under a military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985.
– You have a former president and four generals with four stars in prison, which proves that democracy is valid for everyone – he stressed.
In September, Bolsonaro was found guilty of leading a criminal organization that conspired to ensure his “authoritative stay in power.”
The plan, according to the indictment, included an assassination attempt on Lula, Vice President Gerald Alckmin and Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes.
Prosecutors say the plan failed only because of a lack of support among top military commanders.
(Vijesti.ba)
