Brazil's lower house approves bill to cut Bolsonaro's jail term

Brazil's lower house early on Wednesday approved a bill that could potentially cut former President Jair Bolsonaro's prison term from 27 years to just over two if the Senate also backs the measure.

Last month, Bolsonaro began serving his 27-year sentence for unsuccessfully plotting a coup against his successor, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, after losing the 2022 election.

The bill, approved in a 291-148 vote, reduces sentences for those convicted over anti-democratic acts that resulted in a January 8, 2023 riot, when Bolsonaro supporters invaded and ransacked the presidential palace, Supreme Court and Congress.

It still requires Senate approval and could face challenges at the Supreme Court.

The congressman sponsoring the bill, Paulinho da Força, estimated it could cut Bolsonaro's jail term to just over two years.

A preliminary version of the bill put forward by opposition lawmakers would have pardoned those involved in "political demonstrations" from October 30, 2022 onward, but da Força ruled out granting them full amnesty.

"There is no possibility of amnesty," the congressman said. "We spoke with all the parties, and the only viable project to pacify Brazil is the reduction of sentences."