Brazil's parliament descended into chaos on Tuesday as conservative lawmakers continued to push a law which would reduce the prison sentence of former president Jair Bolsonaro.
One left-wing lawmaker was forcibly removed by police after trying to disrupt proceedings, while footage showed scuffles breaking out as security tried to restore order.
Bolsonaro began a 27-year jail term in November for attempting to plot a coup following his 2022 election defeat.
His conservative allies in Congress have proposed a law which would reduce sentences for coup-related offences, as well as free dozens of Bolsonaro supporters who stormed government buildings shortly after he left office.
Meanwhile, court documents showed that Bolsonaro's legal team filed an official request asking a court to grant him permission to leave prison for surgery.
According to the appeal, Bolsonaro seeks to serve his sentence under house arrest due to health concerns following prior surgeries.
The fate of Jair Bolsonaro, a right-wing populist, remains a divisive issue in Brazil, as his allies explore various methods to exonerate him. The latest law proposed aims to significantly cut sentences for elected officials convicted of crimes.
During the tumultuous debate, leftist politician Glauber Braga briefly occupied the Speaker's chair in protest, but was later forcibly removed amid rising tensions. Many view this law and its implications as a means to grant amnesty to convicted coup plotters, a sentiment expressed by opposition lawmakers.
As of late Tuesday night, the proposed law had not passed, indicating the deep divisions still present in Brazilian politics.
