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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Y. Gabriela S. Pessoa and Elonore Hughes

Bolsonaro's conviction brings vindication for some Brazilians who lost loved ones to COVID-19

Brazil Bolsonaro COVID Victims - (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Simone Guimarães, a retired 52-year-old teacher in Rio de Janeiro, lost at least five relatives to COVID-19: her husband, sister, two brothers-in-law and the godfather of her grandchild. She also lost friends and neighbors.

She woke to the news on Saturday that Brazil's Supreme Court ordered the preemptive arrest of former President Jair Bolsonaro, whom she blames for her losses. A judge claimed Bolsonaro was intent on escaping days before he was set to begin a 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup after losing the 2022 presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

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