Brazil Supreme Court panel votes to convict Bolsonaro in coup plot

A majority of a five-judge panel of Brazil's Supreme Court voted Thursday to convict former president Jair Bolsonaro on charges related to an alleged plot to overturn the 2022 election and remain in power, moving the 70-year-old closer to a possible prison sentence and deepening political tensions in the country. Three of the five justices have so far voted to find Bolsonaro guilty on a set of five counts that include attempting to stage a coup, involvement in an armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of democratic rule, and charges tied to the January 2023 attacks on public buildings in Brasília. One justice dissented and one vote remains.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the case, cast an early vote for conviction and said the evidence showed Bolsonaro led a criminal organization and that Brazil had nearly returned to dictatorship. On Wednesday Justice Luiz Fux broke with his colleagues, voting to acquit Bolsonaro and arguing there was insufficient evidence and raising questions about the court's jurisdiction. On Thursday Justice Cármen Lúcia voted with the majority, delivering the decisive swing that produced a three-judge majority. One panel...