Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro, along with 36 others, faces serious charges related to an alleged coup plot. In November, the Supreme Court in Brasília received indictments that could lead to a high-profile trial. Prosecutors accuse Bolsonaro of leading a plan to undermine democracy, with charges including armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of democratic rule, coup d'état, and damage qualified by violence. The indictment also ties him to the alleged deaths of elected President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his vice president.
The roots of the alleged coup plot trace back to 2021, when efforts began to erode public trust in Brazil's electronic voting system. Prosecutors claim Bolsonaro approved and orchestrated the plan to prevent Lula from assuming office. According to the 844-page indictment, Bolsonaro had "full knowledge" of the plot and "planned, acted in, and led directly and effectively" in its execution.
"planned, acted in, and led directly and effectively" – federal police
The most significant attempt to overturn the election occurred on January 8, 2023. On that day, groups of Bolsonaro supporters allegedly stormed and vandalized the three seats of government in Brasília. These actions aimed to disrupt the democratic process and prevent Lula from taking office. If convicted, Bolsonaro could face up to 28 years in prison.
Bolsonaro's political future has already been impacted by a separate investigation. He is banned from holding public office for eight years after being found guilty of spreading misinformation about Brazil's election integrity to foreign governments. Meanwhile, the investigation into the alleged coup plot continues, with Supreme Court justices aiming to wrap up proceedings before the 2026 presidential elections.
The court seeks to conclude the trial by late 2025 to prevent it from swaying Brazil's next presidential election cycle. Despite the gravity of the accusations, Bolsonaro denies any wrongdoing. He expressed confidence in his innocence, telling journalists he had "no concerns about the accusations, zero."
