• Brazil's Supreme Court panel has unanimously rejected Jair Bolsonaro's appeal against his prison sentence.
• The former president received a 27-year sentence for attempting to stage a coup after the 2022 elections.
• Justices Flavio Dino, Alexandre de Moraes, Cristiano Zanin, and Carmen Lucia voted against the appeal.
• Bolsonaro has been under house arrest since August due to health issues and precautionary measures.
• The decision is not final until all five panel members vote by November 14.

A five-member panel of Brazil's Supreme Court has unanimously rejected former President Jair Bolsonaro's appeal, upholding his 27-year prison sentence for plotting a coup aimed at retaining power after the 2022 presidential election. Justices Flavio Dino, Alexandre de Moraes, Cristiano Zanin, and Carmen Lucia voted in favor of the rejection, with one seat remaining empty since late October. The court's decision will not be finalized until all votes are submitted by November 14, 2025, creating a slim possibility for change if any justices switch their positions before the deadline, according to Reuters and LA Times.

The court had previously convicted Bolsonaro of several crimes related to his actions following the election, including organizing a coup and attempting to violently abolish democracy. Justice de Moraes, the rapporteur of the case, described the arguments put forth by Bolsonaro's defense as “unfeasible,” noting there was ample evidence of his involvement in the coup plot. The specific claims by the lawyers asserting “profound injustices” were dismissed as lacking merit. Bolsonaro has stated he did not support the coup attempts directly but was accused of inciting his supporters to take drastic actions against the democratic process, according to Al Jazeera and The Jakarta Post.

Since August, Bolsonaro has been under house arrest due to health complications stemming from a stabbing incident in 2018, from which he continues to suffer. His legal team is expected to argue for him to serve his prison sentence under similar conditions for health-related reasons, which they cite in their motions. This situation has garnered attention not only nationally but has also affected foreign relations, particularly with the United States, where Donald Trump has previously reacted strongly against the proceedings, labeling them a "witch hunt,” according to Reuters and LA Times.

As the legal proceedings continue, the implications for Bolsonaro's political future and his supporters remain uncertain. His appeal's rejection follows a broader context where significant protests and legislative efforts by his allies for amnesty have shown weaknesses, underscoring shifting dynamics as Brazil approaches the next presidential elections in 2026. Bolsonaro's conviction, marked by a high-profile trial, further influences the political landscape among conservative voters in Brazil, according to Al Jazeera, LA Times, and The Jakarta Post.