Former President Jair Bolsonaro and seven of his associates will stand trial on five serious charges, including attempting to stage a coup after his loss in the 2022 election, as ruled by Brazil’s Supreme Court.
What Charges Does Bolsonaro Face?
Bolsonaro faces charges of:
🔹 Attempting to stage a coup
🔹 Involvement in an armed criminal organization
🔹 Attempted violent abolition of democratic rule
🔹 Damage to state assets and heritage
🔹 Threatening the country’s assets
These charges stem from a federal police investigation, accusing Bolsonaro of leading a criminal organization active since 2021, which allegedly plotted violent actions such as poisoning his successor, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and assassinating Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
What Happens Next?
While no specific trial date has been set, the procedural framework will be established soon. Evidentiary procedures will follow, including interrogations, witness testimonies, and expert examinations. Legal experts predict the trial could take until 2026 if the case is sent to Brazil’s full Supreme Court.
Who Will Judge Bolsonaro?
Bolsonaro’s case will be judged by a panel of five justices, none of whom were appointed by him. The panel includes:
🔹 Cármen LĂşcia – Known for her tough stance on criminal cases.
🔹 Cristiano Zanin – Chair of the panel, former attorney for President Lula.
🔹 Flávio Dino – Appointed by President Lula, former justice minister.
🔹 Luiz Fux – Moderate justice, former chief justice.
🔹 Alexandre de Moraes – The case rapporteur and key figure in Bolsonaro’s indictment.
Will Bolsonaro Be Jailed?
Under Brazilian law, arrests only occur after a final, unappealable conviction. If Bolsonaro attempts to evade justice, such as seeking asylum in an embassy, he could be arrested before the trial concludes.
Bolsonaro’s Response
Bolsonaro, who is banned from running for office until 2030, has denied the charges and claims that he is the victim of political persecution. He defiantly stated:
“If I go to jail, I will give you a lot of work.”
Other Brazilian Presidents’ Legal Issues
Notably:
🔹 Lula was convicted of corruption, served over a year in prison, but had his sentence annulled in 2021.
🔹 Michel Temer was acquitted of corruption charges but was briefly arrested in 2019.
🔹 Fernando Collor faced jail time for corruption but has not yet been imprisoned.
First Time High-Ranking Military Officials Are Tried
For the first time, high-ranking military officials will stand trial before Brazil’s Supreme Court. Four military figures, including former Defense Minister Paulo Sérgio Nogueira and former Navy commander Almir Garnier Santos, are accused of involvement in the alleged coup plot.
Political science professor JoĂŁo Roberto Martins Filho emphasized:
🔹 “Anyone who attempts a military-backed coup and fails could face consequences like what we’re seeing now. They could end in prison.”
