ISTANBUL

Lawyers of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro have appealed his 27-year prison sentence, which was issued last month over his alleged involvement in an attempted military coup following his defeat in the 2022 elections.

The appeal submitted by Bolsonaro’s lawyers on Monday claimed there were “serious injustices” in both his conviction and sentencing, without specifying the extent of the sentence reduction they are seeking.

Bolsonaro has been convicted of plotting a coup d'état, participating in an armed criminal organization, attempting to abolish Brazil's democratic order by force, committing violent acts against state institutions, and damaging protected public property during an assault on government buildings by his supporters on Jan. 8, 2023.

According to the prosecution, the coup plot included a plan to assassinate President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, his Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes using explosives, weapons or poison.

Justice Carmen Lucia said the prosecution provided "conclusive evidence" that the group, led by Bolsonaro, had implemented a "progressive and systematic plan to attack democratic institutions."

His lawyers argued in the motion that the court’s ruling contained “ambiguities, omissions, contradictions and obscurities.”

Bolsonaro, who has been under house arrest since August, denies any wrongdoing. Under Brazilian law, he will remain out of prison until all appeals are concluded.