Brazil court has majority to reject Bolsonaro appeal

FORMER PRESIDENT FACES 27 YEARS IN JAIL FOR ‘PLOTTING A COUP'

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OUT OF MOVES: Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro gestures during a court session in Brasilia on June 9.

Brazil's Supreme Court on Friday reached a majority to uphold a 27-year prison sentence against former president Jair Bolsonaro for plotting a coup.

The 70-year-old far-right firebrand was found guilty by the same court in September of attempting to prevent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking power.

Prosecutors said the plan failed only due to a lack of support from military top brass.

Bolsonaro's lawyers argued there had been “profound injustices” and “contradictions” in his conviction, and sought to have his prison sentence reduced.

Three of the four Supreme Court judges weighing the appeal voted to reject it on Friday.

However, the result is not considered official until a deadline set by the court at midnight on Nov 14.