Brazil’s Supreme Court Orders Bolsonaro to Stand Trial for Coup Attempt
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will face trial on charges of attempting a coup d’état following his defeat in the 2022 election, the Supreme Court has ruled, as per Al Jazeera.
The unanimous decision by a five-judge panel marks a significant escalation in the legal challenges facing the far-right leader.
Bolsonaro, who served as president from 2019 to 2022, is accused of five crimes, including attempting to violently undermine Brazil’s democratic institutions. He has vehemently denied the accusations, calling them “grave and unfounded.” A guilty verdict could lead to a lengthy prison sentence and further isolate him politically.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the case, presented compelling evidence during opening remarks, including footage of Bolsonaro supporters storming government buildings in Brasilia shortly after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s inauguration in January 2023. Moraes also highlighted Bolsonaro’s sustained campaign to discredit Brazil’s electronic voting system, which he claims was a deliberate effort to delegitimize the election results.
The Supreme Court began reviewing the charges against Bolsonaro and seven of his close allies on Tuesday. Bolsonaro attended the session, mirroring the recent legal proceedings involving his political ally, former U.S. President Donald Trump.
In an effort to rally support and pressure Congress for an amnesty bill benefiting him and his jailed supporters, Bolsonaro recently organized a beachfront rally in Rio de Janeiro. However, the demonstration fell short of expectations, with independent polling firms estimating attendance at only 20,000 to 30,000 people.
Despite being barred from running for public office until 2030 by the Superior Electoral Court for spreading disinformation about the voting system, Bolsonaro continues to insist he will seek the presidency again next year.
Beyond the coup attempt charges, Bolsonaro also faces legal scrutiny over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic during his time in office.
