Brazil's Supreme Court Puts Bolsonaro on Trial for Alleged Coup Plot

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Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-03-27 08:57:46 |

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Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is set to face trial after a panel of Supreme Court justices unanimously ruled that he and seven associates would be prosecuted for attempting to stage a coup following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election. The charges against Bolsonaro include attempting to overthrow the government, involvement in an armed criminal organization, and making serious threats against the state's democratic institutions. The ruling was based on an indictment by Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet, who accused Bolsonaro of leading a criminal organization that had been active since at least 2021.

The trial process is expected to begin soon, although a specific date has not been set. The Supreme Court's five-member panel will oversee the case, with its chairman outlining the procedural framework. The evidentiary phase will involve defendant interrogations, witness testimonies, and expert examinations. Once the rapporteur of the case prepares a report, prosecutors and defense attorneys will present their final arguments before the court reaches a verdict. Bolsonaro's legal team had attempted to move the case to the full Supreme Court, which could have delayed the process until 2026, but the request was denied.

If convicted, Bolsonaro could face up to 40 years in prison, although procedural factors might reduce his sentence. Brazilian law only allows for imprisonment after all appeals are exhausted. However, if Bolsonaro attempts to obstruct justice, such as seeking asylum in an embassy, he could be arrested before the trial concludes. The Supreme Court has ultimate jurisdiction in his case, given its authority over criminal cases involving public officials.

Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing, claiming he is the victim of political persecution. Having already been banned from running for office until 2030 for undermining confidence in Brazil's electoral system, he maintains that the charges are politically motivated. He has stated that if he is imprisoned, he will continue to challenge the legal system.

This case marks the first time that high-ranking military officials will be tried before Brazil’s Supreme Court. Four senior military figures who served under Bolsonaro, including former Defense Minister Paulo Sérgio Nogueira and retired generals Augusto Heleno and Walter Braga Netto, are also facing trial. Experts see this as a significant step in holding military figures accountable, something that was previously avoided due to the amnesty granted after Brazil's transition from military dictatorship to democracy in the 1980s.

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