BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — This week, a panel of justices from Brazil's Supreme Court is expected to rule on whether former President Jair Bolsonaro is guilty of orchestrating an attempted coup following his narrow loss in the 2022 election. Bolsonaro faces five counts including plotting to overthrow the government and attempting to retain power unlawfully. If found guilty, he could face decades in prison.
Bolsonaro has continually denied any wrongdoing, framing the ongoing trial as a politically motivated attack against him. In a show of support, dozens of his loyalists rallied outside his home in Brasilia, calling for prayers and criticizing the presiding justice, Alexandre de Moraes, while seeking amnesty for Bolsonaro.
The prosecution alleges that Bolsonaro spearheaded various efforts to cling to power, including discrediting Brazil’s electronic voting system and inciting a riot on January 8, 2023, which aimed to provoke a military takeover. Evidence presented in court revealed that Bolsonaro met with high-ranking military and Cabinet officials to discuss potentially issuing an emergency decree to annul the election results based on unsubstantiated claims of fraud.
Defense lawyer Celso Vilardi countered that the decree was never executed, arguing that mere planning does not equate to criminal action. He emphasized that Bolsonaro’s actions were aimed at a peaceful transition of power, dismissing the idea that he acted against democratic principles.
While Bolsonaro resorts to labeling his charges as a form of 'witch hunt,' similar to rhetoric used by former U.S. President Donald Trump, the trial is historic as it is the first instance where a former president and military officials are on trial for actions against democracy in Brazil.
The justices are expected to make their decision soon, and should they convict him, the panel will discuss possible sentencing, with significant ramifications for Bolsonaro and his political future. As the trial unfolded, tensions ran high with thousands of supporters rallying across the country, indicating that the outcome of this case will likely influence Brazil's political landscape for years to come.
Bolsonaro has continually denied any wrongdoing, framing the ongoing trial as a politically motivated attack against him. In a show of support, dozens of his loyalists rallied outside his home in Brasilia, calling for prayers and criticizing the presiding justice, Alexandre de Moraes, while seeking amnesty for Bolsonaro.
The prosecution alleges that Bolsonaro spearheaded various efforts to cling to power, including discrediting Brazil’s electronic voting system and inciting a riot on January 8, 2023, which aimed to provoke a military takeover. Evidence presented in court revealed that Bolsonaro met with high-ranking military and Cabinet officials to discuss potentially issuing an emergency decree to annul the election results based on unsubstantiated claims of fraud.
Defense lawyer Celso Vilardi countered that the decree was never executed, arguing that mere planning does not equate to criminal action. He emphasized that Bolsonaro’s actions were aimed at a peaceful transition of power, dismissing the idea that he acted against democratic principles.
While Bolsonaro resorts to labeling his charges as a form of 'witch hunt,' similar to rhetoric used by former U.S. President Donald Trump, the trial is historic as it is the first instance where a former president and military officials are on trial for actions against democracy in Brazil.
The justices are expected to make their decision soon, and should they convict him, the panel will discuss possible sentencing, with significant ramifications for Bolsonaro and his political future. As the trial unfolded, tensions ran high with thousands of supporters rallying across the country, indicating that the outcome of this case will likely influence Brazil's political landscape for years to come.
