Brazil's Chamber of Deputies passes bill to lower Bolsonaro's sentence

"The controversial bill, which prompted a scuffle in Congress's lower chamber, now proceeds to the Senate for a vote. Sao Paulo, Brazil The lower house of Brazil's Congress has passed a bill that could reduce former President Jair Bolsonaro's 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup. The contentious vote came in the early hours of Wednesday, after a protest by a left-wing congressman triggered a fight involving lawmakers, police and journalists."

"The bill, which the Senate must now approve, aims to reduce the sentences of more than 1,000 people involved in the attacks on January 8, 2023, which saw Bolsonaro's supporters storm government headquarters in Brasilia. Its beneficiaries would include Bolsonaro and several ministers and military officials who were convicted alongside the ex-president for plotting to hold onto power after losing the 2022 elections. The bill was brought to a vote late on Tuesday night, prompting outrage from its opponents."

"The scene inside the Chamber of Deputies quickly devolved into chaos, with pushing and shoving between lawmakers. Glauber Braga, a left-wing congressman opposed to the bill, attempted to block the vote by sitting in the chamber president's chair, before being forcibly removed by police. Tulio Amancio, a Brazilian reporter from the network TV Band, witnessed the scuffle. He told Al Jazeera that journalists were forcibly expelled from the chamber, and the live television signal was cut. When Braga was removed, Amancio said journalists rushed towards the congressman to film the scene. Police started shouting Open up! Open up! as they pushed their way through the crowd of reporters. Amancio added that colleagues were assaulted by police in the hubbub."

Brazil's lower house passed legislation that could shorten sentences for more than 1,000 people convicted for the January 8, 2023 attacks on Brasilia, potentially including former President Jair Bolsonaro and several ministers and military officials. The measure would reduce Bolsonaro's 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup if the Senate approves it. The late-night vote sparked outrage and physical confrontations inside the Chamber of Deputies, with a left-wing congressman attempting to block the vote and being forcibly removed by police. Journalists were pushed out and the live broadcast was cut amid reports of assaults during the chaos.

Read at www.aljazeera.com