Brazilian federal police have apprehended General Walter Braga Netto, a significant figure in former President Jair Bolsonaro's administration and his running mate during the 2022 election. The arrest, executed on December 14, 2024, is linked to allegations of obstructing an investigation into a plot aimed at staging a coup after Bolsonaro's electoral defeat.
According to a police statement, the operation included an arrest and two search warrants to address actions that hindered the collection of evidence in the ongoing criminal inquiry. A police official, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that General Braga Netto was the subject of the arrest, stressing its necessity to prevent further illegal activities.
Braga Netto held key roles in Bolsonaro's administration, first as chief of staff and later as defense minister, making his apprehension a significant development in the expansive coup investigation that has already implicated Bolsonaro. The federal police previously requested that prosecutors indict Bolsonaro, Braga Netto, and over thirty others connected to the former president for serious charges, including attempted violent overthrow of the democratic order and criminal conspiracy. Prosecutors are still deliberating on whether to move forward with the prosecution.
The allegations stem from an extensive investigation spanning two years, revealing a supposed conspiracy to undermine democracy and maintain Bolsonaro's presidency despite electoral loss. This conspiracy reportedly involved disseminating false information about the electoral system, drafting a decree to reverse election outcomes, coercing military leaders, and instigating Bolsonaro's supporters to disrupt the nation’s capital.
Bolsonaro has adamantly denied any malfeasance, claiming the investigation is politically motivated. Additional claims, detailed in an extensive 884-page report, suggest plans to poison President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva shortly before his inauguration, asserting Bolsonaro was aware of these intentions. Braga Netto's legal team has not commented on the recent developments, maintaining that there was neither a coup nor an assassination plot. They argue that he has always acted within the bounds of law and ethics.
