Brazil judge opens Bolsonaro trial vowing to defy Trump threats

The Brazilian Supreme Court Judge sanctioned by the US opened the trial of former president Jair Bolsonaro vowing to stand firm against pressure from Washington.

“Institutional courage and the defence of national sovereignty are part of the republican duty of this court,” Justice Alexandre de Moraes said on Tuesday.

“National sovereignty cannot, must not and will never be violated, negotiated or extorted.”

Moraes is overseeing the trial that could see Bolsonaro, an ally of Donald Trump, sentenced to more than 40 years in prison over an alleged coup attempt after his 2022 election defeat.

In a bid to help Bolsonaro, Trump sanctioned Moraes under the Magnitsky Act and revoked his US visa. Washington also imposed a 50 per cent tariff on certain Brazilian goods.

Eduardo Bolsonaro, the former president’s son who moved to the US in March to seek White House help, has in recent days warned of additional sanctions linked to the trial and the potential conviction of his father.