Former Brazilian president indicted over alleged coup plot

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Brazil’s federal police say the former right-wing president, Jair Bolsonaro, attempted to launch a coup in 2022 to stay in office following his relection defeat. The police indicted 36 other people, as part of what they say was a criminal conspiracy working to keep Bolsonaro in power, after he lost the 2022 election to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Among the dozens allegedly part of the conspiracy are Bolsonaro’s former defense minister, who was also his vice-presidential running mate, and a number of former close aides. The Federal Police report called the coup an attempt to “violently dismantle the constitutional state”.

The nearly 900-page report now goes to Brazil’s Supreme Court to be referred to the attorney general who will decide whether to go ahead and try the former president.

Supporters of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed the National Congress building, in Brasilia, Brazil, Jan. 8, 2023.

Eraldo Peres/AP

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Eraldo Peres/AP

The police were investigating events that preceded the riots in the capital Brasília on January 8 2023, when shortly after Bolsonaro’s left wing rival took office, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed the presidential palace, the Supreme Court and congress.

On Tuesday, officials arrested four members of the military, including a top aide to Bolsonaro who they said colluded to assassinate then President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, his vice-presidential pick and a Supreme Court Justice. The plan was to spark a federal emergency that would allow Bolsonaro to declare a “state of siege” and stay in power as a caretaker government.

Former Bolsonaro administration officials also accused of involvement in the alleged plot, include Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto, ex-National Security Adviser Augusto Heleno, the head of Bolsonaro’s party, Valdemar Costa Neto and the former Justice Minister Anderson Torres.

In a post on X, Bolsonaro said his lawyers would have to look more closely at the indicment. If convicted of attempting a coup and criminal association, the former president could face years in prison. Bolsonaro has denied all charges and says he is being politically persecuted.