Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro must now serve his 27-year prison sentence. He will stay in a small 12 square meter bedroom at a police base in Brasília, the capital.
Bolsonaro is 70 years old. He led Brazil from 2019 to 2022. In September, the Supreme Court found him guilty of leading a plan to stop his rival Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from becoming president.
The plan included killing Lula and his running mate Geraldo Alckmin. But military leaders refused to join. The court said Bolsonaro and others tried to destroy Brazil's democracy.
On Tuesday, Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered Bolsonaro to start his sentence. The time for appeals is over. Bolsonaro was under house arrest since August. On Saturday, police took him into custody because he tried to remove his electronic ankle tag with a soldering iron.
Six other people involved in the plot also must start their sentences now.
Former defense minister Paulo Sérgio Nogueira received 19 years. Augusto Heleno got 21 years. They are now in a military command in Brasília. Navy commander Almir Garnier Santos has 24 years and is at a navy base. Walter Braga Netto, with 26 years, was already in jail.
Anderson Torres has 24 years and will go to a special prison. Spy chief Alexandre Ramagem has 16 years but fled to the US.
Many progressive Brazilians are happy. They remember Bolsonaro's time in power as bad for the environment and minorities. His handling of Covid led to many deaths. One shop owner in Rio put up a banner saying 'Bolsonaro’s in jail!'
Supporters are angry. They call it a witch-hunt. One said Bolsonaro has been kidnapped. But there are no big protests yet. Experts say his support is dropping. Recent polls show fewer people back him.
Political scientist Camila Rocha says Bolsonaro is in a dead-end situation. His arrest may help other right-wing leaders and reduce extremism.
Bolsonaro's son Carlos said his father is psychologically devastated. Ramagem from the US called for protests, but few people came.
Support for Bolsonaro was strong before, but now only 13% of voters support him no matter what. A recent rally had just 2,000 people.
Brazil waits to see if there will be more unrest. But for now, the country seems calm as Bolsonaro serves his sentence.