Ex-Brazillian president—Collor de Mello sentenced to 9 years imprisonment

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Brazilian top court has upheld the nine-year jail term slammed on former president Fernando Collor de Mello.

The ruling was delivered on Friday, April 25, 2025, according to foreign media reports monitored by our correspondent.

Collor de Mello, aged 75, was convicted of corruption and money laundering charges after a long-running investigation.

He was Brazil’s first democratically elected president after the military dictatorship era, assuming office in 1990.

However, he was forced to resign in 1992, barely halfway through his term, amid heavy corruption allegations.

Congress had launched impeachment proceedings against him over accusations of accepting bribes from business interests.

Following Friday’s ruling, police arrested the embattled ex-leader in the northeast region of the country.

AFP cited a police source, who confirmed the arrest but spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Reports said Collor de Mello had tried to nullify the arrest order but was unsuccessful.

A court, on Thursday, threw out his bid to have the arrest warrant cancelled.

Prosecutors claim that Collor de Mello received funds to illegally facilitate contracts for a construction company.

The contracts were allegedly linked to a former subsidiary of the Brazilian state oil giant, Petrobras.

The latest conviction adds to a growing list of Brazilian leaders embroiled in corruption scandals.

Of the seven presidents since Brazil’s 1964-1985 military rule, four have faced jail, impeachment, or convictions.

Observers say the trend has badly damaged public trust in Brazil’s political leadership.

In a related development, former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro is also battling serious legal troubles.

A court recently ordered Bolsonaro to stand trial over an alleged coup attempt following his 2022 election loss.

The cases have sparked widespread public debates about the future of democracy in Brazil.

Meanwhile, anti-corruption activists are calling for stronger reforms to cleanse Brazil’s political system.

Collor de Mello’s legal team have, so far, refused to comment at the sentence as at the time of this report.

The former president has consistently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he is a victim of political persecution.

Legal analysts believe his arrest could open the door to fresh investigations involving other high-profile figures.

Brazil’s Supreme Court, however, maintains that the trial and sentencing followed due legal procedures.

The situation has triggered mixed reactions among Brazilians, with some hailing the move and others expressing sympathy.

As the drama unfolds, the world continues to watch Brazil’s political landscape with keen interest.

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