Brazil’s Ex-President Bolsonaro Denies Coup Plot in Historic Supreme Court Trial
Brazil’s far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro appeared before the nation’s Supreme Court on Tuesday for the first time to deny involvement in an alleged plot to overturn the 2022 election results and remain in power. Bolsonaro lost that election to current leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The 70-year-old Bolsonaro, along with seven close allies, faced questioning by a panel of top judges as part of a landmark trial investigating accusations that they conspired in a multi-step scheme to cling to power despite Bolsonaro’s defeat.
If convicted, Bolsonaro and his co-defendants could face prison sentences of up to 40 years in what has been described as Brazil’s first trial for an attempted coup under a democratic government.
When asked by Judge Alexandre de Moraes, a known political adversary, about the allegations, Bolsonaro replied, “That’s not the case, your honour. There was never any talk of a coup. A coup is an abominable thing … Brazil could not go through an experience like that. And there was never even the possibility of a coup in my government.”
According to prosecutors, the alleged plan failed largely due to lack of military support. Bolsonaro, a former military officer with a history of openly defying Brazil’s judiciary during his presidency from 2019 to 2022, is accused of attempting to subvert the democratic process.
On Monday, Mauro Cid, a former aide to Bolsonaro who has turned state’s witness, testified that Bolsonaro received and edited a draft decree for declaring a state of emergency. This decree, according to Cid, would have allowed for redoing the election and included measures to imprison key figures such as Judge Moraes.
Cid also revealed that he received cash hidden in a wine crate from Bolsonaro’s ex-vice president and Defence Minister Walter Braga Netto. Investigators say the money was intended to fund an operation involving special forces to assassinate Lula, his vice president Geraldo Alckmin, and Moraes.
Alongside Cid, other co-defendants include four former ministers and the ex-heads of Brazil’s navy and intelligence agency. Most defendants have denied the charges, which include attempting a coup, involvement in an armed criminal organisation, attempted violent abolition of democratic rule, and aggravated damage to national heritage.
A conviction on the coup charge alone carries a prison term of up to 12 years, with combined sentences potentially reaching 40 years.
Two former army commanders have testified that Bolsonaro held a meeting discussing the declaration of a state of emergency as a way to overturn Lula’s victory. Bolsonaro, however, insists he is the victim of political and media persecution, claiming his conservative, anti-“woke” agenda made him a target.
Though banned from running in elections until 2030 for abusing power and undermining Brazil’s electronic voting system, Bolsonaro still hopes to compete in the 2026 presidential race.
“They have nothing to convict me of; my conscience is clear,” Bolsonaro told reporters on Monday.
Almir Garnier, Bolsonaro’s former Navy commander, denied any discussion of a state of emergency with military officials and refuted claims that the Navy would have supported Bolsonaro’s plans.
The Supreme Court in Brasilia was one of several government buildings attacked in January 2023 by a mob of Bolsonaro supporters known as “Bolsonaristas,” who sought military intervention to remove Lula from office. Bolsonaro was in Florida during that insurrection attempt, which drew comparisons to the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.
Judges will hear testimony from 26 more defendants in upcoming sessions. The trial, which began in mid-May, has already included dozens of witnesses.
Source: Al Jazeera
