Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court has handed former President Jair Bolsonaro a sentence of twenty-seven years and three months in prison after convicting him on Thursday for orchestrating a coup attempt following his loss in the 2022 election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The five-justice panel found him guilty on five charges, including participating in an armed criminal organization, attempting the violent abolition of democratic rule, planning to kill President Lula, and damaging public property. Four of the five justices voted to convict; one dissented. Bolsonaro, currently under house arrest, has denied all wrongdoing and plans to appeal.

The ruling also applies prison sentences ranging from two to twenty-six years to several of his allies, including high-ranking military officers. This is the first time in Brazilian history that a former head of state has been convicted for attacking democracy in this manner.

International reaction has been swift. U.S. officials including President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced the verdict as politically motivated, with Rubio calling it a “witch hunt.” The U.S. criticism has caused diplomatic strain, while Brazilian leaders defended the independence of the judiciary and emphasized that no office is above the law.