Brazil’s Supreme Court has ruled that former president Jair Bolsonaro must stand trial for allegedly orchestrating a coup to seize power. The far-right leader is facing a potential prison sentence of more than 40 years.
In a unanimous decision on Wednesday, five Supreme Court judges determined that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute Bolsonaro and seven of his close allies. The charges include involvement in an armed criminal organization, attempting a coup d’état, and violently seeking to abolish Brazilian democracy.
Key Figures Facing Trial
Among those set to stand trial alongside Bolsonaro are:
- Former Defense Ministers Gen Walter Braga Netto and Gen Paulo Sérgio Nogueira de Oliveira
- Former Navy Commander Adm Almir Garnier Santos
- Former Security Minister Anderson Torres
- Former Intelligence Chief Alexandre Ramagem
- Former Minister for Institutional Security Gen Augusto Heleno
- Bolsonaro’s former aide, Lt Col Mauro Cid, expected to receive lighter sentence after striking plea deal with prosecutors.
Authorities accuse the group of conspiring to keep Bolsonaro in power after his narrow defeat to left-wing rival Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the 2022 presidential election.
Alleged Coup Plot and January 8 Riots
The case centers on an alleged plan to stage a pro-Bolsonaro coup between the October 2022 election and the violent riots in Brasília on January 8, 2023—one week after Lula’s inauguration. Authorities allegedly incited the attacks, which saw Bolsonaro supporters storming government buildings, to create chaos that could justify military intervention.
“It was an extraordinarily violent attempted coup d’état,” Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes said, showing video footage of rioters vandalizing the Supreme Court and attacking police. “These images leave no doubt as to the materiality and gravity of the crimes committed.”
Assassination Plots Uncovered
Police investigations revealed a sub-plot, code-named “Green and Yellow Dagger.” Which allegedly involved plans to assassinate Lula using poison and to kill Supreme Court judge Moraes.
Brazil’s Attorney General, Paulo Gonet, told the court that investigators had “uncovered a terrifying operation” to carry out the coup. This includes plans to eliminate the president, vice president-elect, and a Supreme Court minister. However, the plot reportedly failed because the group was unable to co-opt the army commander.
Bolsonaro Denies Charges
Bolsonaro issued a written statement following the court’s ruling, claiming that judicial persecution. This aims to end his political career and silence Brazil’s right-wing opposition.
“Those in power are focused on ensuring I spend the rest of my life in prison so I can never run for president again,” he wrote. “The Brazilian people are being robbed of their right to choose their leader, and no country can call itself a democracy when its most popular candidate is barred from the ballot through judicial maneuvers.”
Despite Bolsonaro’s claims, the ruling marks a significant legal step in Brazil’s efforts to hold those involved in the coup attempt accountable. Legal experts note that if convicted, Bolsonaro and his allies could face severe penalties, including lengthy prison terms.
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