Five judges from Brazil’s top court have concluded their first day of deliberations regarding the potential trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro, accused of plotting a coup after his 2022 election defeat. The prosecutor general, Paulo Gonet, argued that Bolsonaro orchestrated a conspiracy to overthrow the government, which included alleged plots to poison his electoral opponent, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Gonet claimed Bolsonaro used illicit means to cling to power regardless of the election’s outcome.
A majority vote from the five-justice panel is required for a criminal trial to proceed, with a decision expected by Wednesday. Moraes is among the justices considering the case. The proceedings stem from Gonet’s decision to file charges against Bolsonaro and 33 allies on February 18, insisting there was substantial evidence against those charged. Found guilty, Bolsonaro could face charges including “attempted violent abolition of the democratic state of law” and vandalism.
Bolsonaro and his supporters have rejected the charges, alleging a political conspiracy to prevent his candidacy in future elections. In 2023, Bolsonaro was banned from public office until 2030 for undermining trust in Brazil’s electoral system during his tenure. While denying wrongdoing, Bolsonaro faces other legal investigations. He expressed fear of being “killed” but hopes for exoneration from the justice system.
The allegations involve Bolsonaro’s actions before and after the 2022 elections, where he spread false claims about the reliability of Brazil’s electronic voting system. In a run-off election, Lula won by a narrow margin. Bolsonaro sought to contest the result legally, which was dismissed for lack of evidence. Following his loss, protests turned violent, with roadblocks and attacks on state institutions. Tensions climaxed on January 8, 2023, when Bolsonaro’s supporters rioted, storming government buildings in Brasilia. His allies draw comparisons to former U.S. President Donald Trump, who also contested his election loss without proof. Bolsonaro’s supporters hope Trump’s influence might aid their agenda of clearing his name and paving the way for another presidential run.
Bolsonaro’s affinity for Brazil’s military dictatorship has been marked by his supporters’ calls for military intervention post-2022 election.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/26/brazilian-supreme-court-considers-trial-for-bolsonaro-over-coup-allegations?traffic_source=rss
