Brazilians protest against bill that could lead to a pardon for Bolsonaro and allies

The bill would make it harder to launch criminal proceedings against lawmakers. Bolsonaro has been convicted of attempting a coup

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Brazilians protest against a proposed Amnesty Bill that would change penalties for those convicted of plotting a coup, set for a vote next week, at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:00am, 22 Sep 2025

Brazilians held protests in all 26 states and the Federal District on Sunday against a possible pardon for former president Jair Bolsonaro and his allies, who were convicted of attempting a coup.

Calls for demonstrations grew after the lower house on Tuesday passed a constitutional amendment that would make it harder to arrest or launch criminal proceedings against lawmakers. The measure now heads to the Senate.

The following day the lower house voted to fast track a bill backed by right-wing opposition lawmakers that could grant amnesty to Bolsonaro, his closest allies and hundreds of supporters convicted for their roles in the January 2023 uprising.

Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison on September 11 for attempting to stay in power after losing a 2022 re-election bid.

He is the first former president convicted of trying to overturn an election in Latin America’s largest economy. Bolsonaro denied any wrongdoing.

Some of Brazil’s most prominent artists helped organise and promote Sunday’s demonstrations.

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