Brazil’s Supreme Court has decided that former president Jair Bolsonaro will stand trial on charges related to an alleged coup attempt, a ruling that could undermine his hopes for a political comeback similar to that of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
This marks the first time since Brazil’s return to democracy in 1985 that a former president is accused of attempting to seize power by force. A unanimous decision by a five-judge panel confirmed there is sufficient evidence to move forward with the trial.
Bolsonaro, who was not present in court, rejected the charges as “unfounded” during a press statement.
If convicted, the 70-year-old former military officer could face over 40 years in prison and political exile, effectively derailing any potential run for office in the future.
Bolsonaro, who served from 2019 to 2022, is accused of leading a “criminal organization” to maintain his hold on power despite his loss in the 2022 election. He narrowly lost to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the left-wing candidate.
After the election, investigators allege that Bolsonaro and his supporters attempted to create a state of emergency to facilitate new elections. He is also accused of being aware of a plot to assassinate Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes—an outspoken critic of Bolsonaro and one of the judges in this case.
Moraes, who has labeled Bolsonaro a “dictator,” was the first judge to present his findings, citing substantial evidence linking Bolsonaro to the criminal organization.
Legal experts suggest it is unlikely Bolsonaro will be placed in pre-trial detention, and he is expected to stand trial as a free man. Though no specific timeline has been set, some anticipate a verdict before the 2026 elections to prevent any influence on the political process.
A Rare Case for Brazilian Ex-Presidents
Bolsonaro will be only the second former Brazilian president in less than a decade to face criminal charges. In 2017, ex-president Lula was convicted of corruption, served a prison sentence, and had his conviction annulled by the Supreme Court before eventually winning the presidency again.
Bolsonaro faces charges of attempting a coup, undermining democratic rule, and involvement in an armed criminal organization. Prosecutors argue the coup attempt was unsuccessful due to a lack of support from Brazil’s military leadership.
Alongside Bolsonaro, seven co-conspirators, including former ministers and a former navy commander, will be tried. Bolsonaro continues to claim that the charges are part of a political plot to block his return to power.
“They seem to have something personal against me. The accusations are serious and unfounded,” he told reporters in Brasília. A supporter, Cleber Fonseca from São Paulo, labeled the charges “political persecution,” asserting that no evidence has been presented to back the claims.
Bolsonaro’s Political Future in Doubt
Even before this ruling, Bolsonaro’s political future appeared uncertain. He is barred from holding public office until 2030 due to his actions questioning Brazil’s electronic voting system. Bolsonaro had hoped to overturn this ban and stand for election in 2026.
A conviction for attempting to subvert Brazil’s democracy could lead the political right to find a new candidate. Known as the “Trump of the Tropics” for his admiration of the former U.S. president, Bolsonaro has been investigated for several controversies during his time in office.
The latest investigation includes a nearly 900-page report and references the January 8, 2023, attacks when thousands of Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed key government buildings, including the presidential palace, Congress, and the Supreme Court, demanding military intervention to remove Lula.
At the time of the riots, Bolsonaro was in the U.S. and condemned the violence, though he has often drawn comparisons to Trump, who faced his own legal challenges but remains a prominent figure in U.S. politics.
AFP
