The first of five Supreme Court justices who will decide the fate of the former Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, has found the ex-leader guilty of plotting a coup. But Bolsonaro will only be convicted if at least three out of the five justices find him guilty. Justice Alexandre de Moraes said there was no doubt that there had been a coup attempt after Bolsonaro lost the 2022 presidential election to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Moraes also stated that Bolsonaro had led a criminal organisation which he alleged was behind the attempted coup. Bolsonaro has denied all the charges.
If convicted, Bolsonaro - who governed Brazil from January 2019 to December 2022 - could face a lengthy sentence of more than 40 years in prison. The charges against Bolsonaro are extremely serious, and Justice Moraes, who had been widely expected to convict Bolsonaro, did not hold back in the summary of his decision. The former president and his seven co-defendants, including some top military officers, are accused of trying to prevent President-elect Lula from taking office.
On the day of the ruling, Justice Moraes presented a document, codenamed 'Operation Green and Yellow Dagger', detailing a plot to assassinate Lula and other officials. Investigators allege that Bolsonaro's faction failed to garner enough military support, culminating instead in a violent protest where thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings.
Moraes asserted that it was crucial that Brazil's institutions respond firmly to bolster democracy, recalling the harrowing history of military rule that ended only in 1985. Bolsonaro did not attend the hearing; his legal team cited health issues stemming from a previous stabbing. They also claimed that Bolsonaro's legal troubles are politically motivated, a narrative that has further divided opinions in Brazil. Supporters accuse the court of bias, whereas critics stress the need for a significant response to threats against democracy.
If convicted, Bolsonaro - who governed Brazil from January 2019 to December 2022 - could face a lengthy sentence of more than 40 years in prison. The charges against Bolsonaro are extremely serious, and Justice Moraes, who had been widely expected to convict Bolsonaro, did not hold back in the summary of his decision. The former president and his seven co-defendants, including some top military officers, are accused of trying to prevent President-elect Lula from taking office.
On the day of the ruling, Justice Moraes presented a document, codenamed 'Operation Green and Yellow Dagger', detailing a plot to assassinate Lula and other officials. Investigators allege that Bolsonaro's faction failed to garner enough military support, culminating instead in a violent protest where thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings.
Moraes asserted that it was crucial that Brazil's institutions respond firmly to bolster democracy, recalling the harrowing history of military rule that ended only in 1985. Bolsonaro did not attend the hearing; his legal team cited health issues stemming from a previous stabbing. They also claimed that Bolsonaro's legal troubles are politically motivated, a narrative that has further divided opinions in Brazil. Supporters accuse the court of bias, whereas critics stress the need for a significant response to threats against democracy.
