Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro has been formally charged in connection with an alleged coup plot to overturn the 2022 election results and prevent his opponent from assuming power, prosecutors announced Tuesday.
Bolsonaro is among 34 individuals facing charges, including armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of democracy, coup d’état, and violent property damage.
Prosecutors claim Bolsonaro met with ambassadors in 2022 to spread ‘unfounded’ allegations of election fraud, preparing the international community to reject the results. The defendants allegedly continued efforts to discredit the electoral system and planned a coup, which prosecutors say included a plot to assassinate President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his vice president. The final alleged attempt to overturn the election occurred on January 8, 2023, when Bolsonaro supporters stormed and vandalized government buildings in Brasília.
In November, Bolsonaro and 36 others were indicted in connection to the coup investigation. The Supreme Court in Brazil will determine whether to accept the charges, with justices aiming to conclude the trial before the 2026 presidential election. If convicted, Bolsonaro could face up to 28 years in prison.
Following the indictment, Bolsonaro denied any wrongdoing, telling reporters he had “no concerns” about the accusations. He has reportedly been negotiating a potential amnesty deal in Brazil. The former president was already banned from public office for eight years after a separate investigation found he spread ‘misinformation’ about Brazil’s election system.
