Top Brazilian lawmaker rules out blanket pardon for coup plotters

BRASILIA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- President of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies Hugo Motta on Thursday dismissed the possibility of Congress approving a blanket pardon for those accused of an attempted coup in late 2022 and early 2023.

"I do not see an environment in the Chamber for, for example, granting amnesty to those who planned to kill people. I do not believe that environment exists," Motta said in an interview with Brazilian news network GloboNews regarding a potential amnesty bill.

On Jan. 8, 2023, supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed the government buildings in the capital of Brasilia.

Defense teams for Bolsonaro and other defendants presented their closing arguments on Wednesday, moving the trial toward its final phase in the coming months.

According to Motta, those who played a peripheral role in the Jan. 8 events and received stiff sentences could have their cases reviewed, potentially resulting in reduced penalties.

"There is concern about people who did not play a central role, but who ended up receiving heavy sentences due to the accumulation of penalties. There is a certain sensitivity regarding these people who, in a review of sentences, could in some ways receive ... a lighter sentence," he said. ■