Amanze Chinonye
Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies has approved a bill that could dramatically reduce former President Jair Bolsonaro’s 27-year prison sentence to just over two years if the measure is also endorsed by the Senate, according to reports from France 24 and AFP.
The development adds a new layer of political tension as the country continues to reckon with the fallout of the 2023 post-election unrest.
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According to the verified reports, the bill was approved early Wednesday and seeks to overhaul how sentences are calculated for defendants convicted of multiple related offences. Under the new formula, only the most serious crime would carry a full penalty, with a smaller additional term applied on top.
The legislation also lowers the threshold for inmates to transition from a closed regime to a semi-open system potentially enabling Bolsonaro to qualify for early conditional release if courts apply the new rules to his case.
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Bolsonaro began serving his 27-year sentence last month after the Supreme Federal Court found him guilty of plotting to overturn the 2022 election he lost to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and encouraging attempts to prevent the democratic transfer of power. He is currently being held at the Federal Police Superintendency in Brasília.
In a separate development, Bolsonaro’s legal team on Tuesday asked authorities to transfer him from prison to a hospital for unspecified “surgical procedures,” according to a document seen by Reuters. His lawyers also reiterated their push for the former leader to serve his sentence under humanitarian house arrest, citing health-related concerns.
The lower-house vote on the sentencing overhaul followed scenes of intense confrontation in Congress earlier this week, where opposition lawmakers accused Bolsonaro’s allies of using procedural reforms as a disguised effort to shield the former president and other convicted figures involved in the 2023 attacks on Brazil’s democratic institutions.
Supporters of the reform argue it is a broad correction to what they describe as disproportionate sentencing practices.
Bolsonaro’s conviction in September 2025 culminated from a sweeping investigation into attempts to delegitimise the electoral system following his defeat.
The probe was intensified by the violent January 8, 2023 attacks on the Congress, Supreme Court and presidential palace actions prosecutors say were fuelled by Bolsonaro’s repeated allegations of electoral fraud and pressure on institutions.
As the Senate prepares to take up the bill, the fate of Brazil’s most polarising political figure already facing health appeals, legal battles and a sharply divided public now rests on the next stage of the legislative process and how courts interpret any changes to sentencing rules.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
