Supreme Court Convicts Eduardo Bolsonaro for Defaming Congresswoman Tabata Amaral
Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court has convicted Eduardo Bolsonaro for defaming congresswoman Tabata Amaral, imposing a fine and detention amid political controversy.
- • Eduardo Bolsonaro was convicted by the Supreme Federal Court for defaming Tabata Amaral with a 7-3 vote.
- • The court sentenced him to one year of detention and a fine exceeding R$ 80,000.
- • Bolsonaro's remarks were deemed beyond political discourse and not protected by parliamentary immunity.
- • Bolsonaro resides in the U.S. since 2025, citing legal persecution in Brazil.
Key details
The Supreme Federal Court (STF) of Brazil has convicted former congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP) for defaming congresswoman Tabata Amaral (PSB-SP) in a case stemming from social media accusations made in October 2021. The virtual plenary session concluded with a 7-3 majority vote, sentencing Bolsonaro to one year of detention and ordering him to pay a fine exceeding R$ 80,000.
Minister Alexandre de Moraes, rapporteur of the case, led the majority opinion, alongside justices Cármen Lúcia, Flávio Dino, Cristiano Zanin, Edson Fachin, Gilmar Mendes, and Dias Toffoli. They ruled Bolsonaro's comments, which accused Amaral of favoring businessman Jorge Paulo Lemann through a legislative project on menstrual product distribution, went beyond political debate and damaged Amaral's honor. Consequently, these remarks were not protected by parliamentary immunity.
Justices Luiz Fux, Kassio Nunes Marques, and André Mendonça dissented, advocating acquittal on the grounds that Bolsonaro’s statements were shielded by parliamentary immunity. The STF ordered a fine equivalent to 39 days' wages of two minimum salaries. Although the sentence includes potential detention of three months to one year, this is unlikely to be implemented, as Bolsonaro has lived in self-exile in the United States since February 2025, where he claims to seek refuge from what he describes as legal persecution and holds a greencard.
Congresswoman Tabata Amaral celebrated the ruling on social media, emphasizing the significance of legal accountability in democratic debate. She also highlighted her re-election campaign for October, underscoring the importance of the law providing free menstrual products since 2024, which was central to the original legislative dispute.
Eduardo Bolsonaro was removed from his congressional seat in 2025 due to excessive absences, and this conviction further marks a significant legal and political development involving prominent figures in Brazilian politics.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Amount of fine
Sources report different amounts for the fine imposed on Bolsonaro
agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br
"a fine of R$ 80,000"
cnnbrasil.com.br
"a fine equivalent to 39 days' worth of two minimum salaries"
Why this matters: One source states the fine is R$ 80,000, while the other mentions it as equivalent to 39 days' worth of two minimum salaries, which suggests a different calculation. This discrepancy affects the understanding of the financial penalty imposed on Bolsonaro.