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Brazil’s federal police on Thursday indicted former President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 others on charges of attempting to stage a coup to keep him in power after his 2022 electoral defeat to leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The charges, stemming from a year-long investigation, accuse Bolsonaro and his allies of plotting to disrupt Brazil’s democratic process and overturn the election results. The findings have been forwarded to the Supreme Court, which will decide whether to proceed with a trial. Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet will review the case and either agree with the charges or dismiss the investigation.
Bolsonaro, a right-wing leader who lost the 2022 election, has denied all allegations related to coup attempts. “There was no effort on my part to undermine democracy or the electoral process,” Bolsonaro said in previous statements, maintaining his innocence as he faces multiple legal battles.
The investigation into Bolsonaro is part of a broader probe into unrest following the 2022 elections, including the January 8, 2023, attack on government buildings in Brasília by his supporters. While the former president has distanced himself from those events, prosecutors are examining whether his rhetoric fueled the actions.
In addition to the coup allegations, Bolsonaro is under investigation for other legal issues, including accusations of smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without proper customs declarations and directing a subordinate to falsify COVID-19 vaccination records. He has denied involvement in both cases.
The indictment comes days after federal police arrested four military members and a federal police officer on charges of conspiring to overthrow the government following Bolsonaro’s defeat. According to authorities, the group’s alleged plans included targeting Lula and other high-ranking officials.
The arrests and indictment underscore the heightened political and legal tensions in Brazil as the country reckons with the fallout from its contentious 2022 election and the subsequent transition of power.
The Supreme Court’s decision on whether to pursue charges against Bolsonaro will be a critical moment in the former leader’s legal journey. If prosecuted and convicted, Bolsonaro could face significant political and legal repercussions, potentially barring him from running for office again.
As Brazil navigates these politically charged investigations, the case against Bolsonaro highlights the country’s efforts to address alleged threats to its democratic institutions while grappling with a deeply polarized electorate.
Source: AP
