Lawyers for Bolsonaro and other defendants in the "crucial core" of the coup plot are attempting to reduce their sentences at the Supreme Court.

247 - The defense teams of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and six others convicted by the First Panel of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) are expected to file appeals this Monday (27) to try to reduce the sentences imposed in the trial of the 2023 coup plot. According to g1The lawyers had five days to file a motion for clarification—a legal recourse aimed at clarifying contradictions, omissions, or doubts in the decision. Although it rarely changes the outcome of the trial, this type of appeal can, in some cases, adjust the length of the sentences.

Bolsonaro's defense questions his leadership role.

The former president's legal team considers the 27-year and three-month prison sentence "excessive." According to the lawyers, it was not proven that the criminal organization acted in an armed manner, which directly influenced the increased sentence.

Another argument is that the crimes of "coup d'état" and "attempted violent abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law" refer to the same conduct. Therefore, the defense maintains that only the penalty for the more serious crime—that of coup d'état—should prevail.

The lawyers are also studying potential contradictions between the votes of the rapporteur, Minister Alexandre de Moraes, and that of Minister Luiz Fux, who voted to acquit six of the eight defendants in the so-called "crucial core."

The appeals process could take place in the coming days.

Supreme Court justices believe the appeals should be judged soon. According to the report, the likely scenario is that Alexandre de Moraes will propose a virtual plenary session, a model where votes are recorded electronically.

Mauro Cid's case should be closed.

Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid, Bolsonaro's former aide-de-camp, is the only defendant whose situation is close to a resolution. His defense managed to maintain the plea bargain agreement, which provides for a two-year prison sentence.

The Attorney General's Office (PGR), which had requested a reduction in benefits, decided not to appeal. Therefore, Cid's case can be officially closed after the final judgment.

Conviction of the core group considered central

In September, by a vote of four to one, the First Panel of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) recognized the existence of a criminal organization that acted to keep Jair Bolsonaro in power, even after the results of the 2022 elections. The group was considered responsible for attempting to discredit electronic voting machines; pressuring the Armed Forces for an institutional rupture; using the public machinery against opponents, with espionage and dissemination of fake news; and devising plans that included the arrest and even the death of authorities.

According to the Supreme Court and the Attorney General's Office, these actions culminated in the attacks of January 8, 2023, on the headquarters of the Three Branches of Government in Brasília.

In addition to Bolsonaro and Mauro Cid, those convicted included Alexandre Ramagem (congressman and former director of ABIN), Almir Garnier (former commander of the Navy), Anderson Torres (former Minister of Justice), Augusto Heleno (former Minister of the GSI), Paulo Sérgio Nogueira (former Minister of Defense), and Walter Braga Netto (former Minister of the Civil House).