Brazil's Supreme Court on Tuesday convicted Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, for interfering in his father's trial over an alleged coup plot. Eduardo, who lives in the US, was sentenced to four years and two months in prison.

A unanimous panel of justices found Eduardo guilty of seeking intervention from the Trump administration in his father's trial. The ruling also bars him from running for public office for eight years, though he may appeal.

The court stated that Eduardo, a former congressman, illegally lobbied the US government to threaten Brazilian officials to halt the proceedings. Prosecutors charged him with 'threatening judicial authorities and officials from other branches of government' by suggesting he would secure US sanctions if the trial did not end favorably for his father.

Judge Alexandre de Moraes remarked: 'It is not the role of a Brazilian federal deputy to lobby abroad against their own country.' US President Donald Trump had also imposed steep tariffs on Brazil, which were later rolled back.

Eduardo claimed his actions were aimed at forcing the Supreme Court to punish officials not complying with the constitution, not at acquitting his father. He and his family allege they are being targeted by the court. He plans to appeal, arguing lack of proper notification.

Source: www.dw.com