Former President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil has been charged in connection with an alleged coup plot to overturn the results of the 2022 election and prevent his opponent from assuming power. The charges, including armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, coup d’état, and damage qualified by violence, were filed by prosecutors on Tuesday evening.
Prosecutors claim that the plot originated in 2021 with attempts to undermine public trust in electronic voting machines. Bolsonaro allegedly engaged in discussions with ambassadors and diplomatic representatives in 2022 to prepare the international community for disregarding the election results based on accusations of voting fraud.
Despite no evidence of election fraud being found, the defendants persisted in discrediting the electoral system. It is alleged that Bolsonaro approved a plan that included the removal of the elected President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his vice president.
The most recent attempt to overturn the election occurred on January 8, 2023, when Bolsonaro supporters mobilized in Brasília, storming and vandalizing government buildings. The charges, presented to the Supreme Court in Brasília, could lead to a high-profile trial if accepted.
The Supreme Court aims to conclude the trial before the end of 2025 to prevent interference in the 2026 presidential elections. In a 844-page indictment from November, federal police accused Bolsonaro of having full knowledge and direct involvement in the alleged coup plan.
Following the filing of charges, Bolsonaro denied any wrongdoing, stating he had no concerns about the accusations. If found guilty, he could face up to 28 years in prison. In a separate investigation in 2023, Bolsonaro was banned from public office for eight years for spreading misinformation about the integrity of the Brazilian election apparatus to foreign governments.
Bolsonaro, who is currently in Brasilia negotiating a potential amnesty deal, remains defiant in the face of the charges brought against him.
