In a significant legal decision, Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro is set to face trial for allegedly orchestrating a violent coup aimed at seizing power through military means. This follows a ruling by the country’s supreme court that deemed Bolsonaro should face criminal prosecution. His trials could potentially lead to a sentence of over 40 years and mark the end of his political career. Alongside Bolsonaro, seven of his closest allies, including former defense ministers, a navy commander, and security officials, will also stand trial for charges related to involvement in an armed criminal organization, coup d’état, and attempts to violently dissolve Brazilian democracy. These individuals are accused of forming the core of a conspiracy to keep Bolsonaro in power following his narrow loss in the 2022 presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The accusations include planning a pro-Bolsonaro coup and inciting the far-right riots that hit Brasília on January 8, 2023, in an alleged attempt to create turmoil that would justify military intervention. Some sub-plots involved in these machinations include assassination attempts on Lula and a supreme court judge, according to police reports. Bolsonaro denies the charges, branding them an “aberration” and claims of judicial persecution to end his political career. His legal defense team also vehemently denies the allegations, with some lawyers stopping short of denying the coup attempt itself. With Brazil’s attorney general presenting evidence of a “terrifying operation” conducted by Bolsonaro and his allies, and many seeing little chance of a not guilty verdict, the legal proceedings are expected to closely scrutinize Bolsonaro’s actions and those of his associates.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/26/bolsonaro-trial-coup-brazil-supreme-court