BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — A panel of Supreme Court justices is set to decide this week whether former President Jair Bolsonaro is guilty of plotting to overthrow Brazil’s democracy and hang onto power illegally after his 2022 electoral defeat.
The far-right ex-president is facing five counts at trial for allegedly conspiring to stage a coup following his narrow loss to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a leftist who previously held the presidency two decades earlier.
If convicted, Bolsonaro could face decades in prison, as the five-judge panel's verdict is expected Thursday or Friday. Bolsonaro has consistently denied wrongdoing, labeling the trial as a politically motivated attack.
Supporters of Bolsonaro gathered outside his Brasilia home on Monday, praying for him and criticizing the Supreme Court justice overseeing the case, Alexandre de Moraes, in an effort to apply pressure for potential amnesty for the former leader.
Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet stated in court that Bolsonaro led a multipronged scheme to retain power illegally, which involved casting doubt on Brazil’s electronic voting system and inciting a January 8 riot, described as an attempt to initiate a military takeover.
Evidence presented indicated that Bolsonaro convened top officials to discuss a proposed emergency decree that aimed to suspend the October 2022 election results in pursuit of claims related to voting fraud.
However, lawyer Celso Vilardi argued that while planning may have occurred, the absence of the execution of a decree indicated Bolsonaro’s actions did not constitute a crime against the rule of law.
During defense proceedings, Bolsonaro identified himself as a victim of a “witch hunt,” echoing sentiments of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has publicly supported him. Trump recently connected economic penalties on Brazilian goods to Bolsonaro’s judicial fate, a situation he is monitoring closely.
In the wake of the impending trial verdict, Bolsonaro supporters took to the streets in São Paulo, emphasizing their loyalty to the former president. His wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, remarked on his dedication to the nation.
The trial resumes as the judicial panel reviews any final requests, with the court set to vote on Bolsonaro’s guilt or innocence based on a simple majority.
Bolsonaro faces serious charges including coup conspiracy, involvement in armed criminal activity, and attempts to violently dismantle the democratic structure. A guilty decision regarding the coup charge alone could imply a sentence of up to 12 years.
This landmark trial sees Bolsonaro alongside seven close allies, including key military figures and former officials, marking a historic moment in Brazil's legal landscape.
The outcome of the trial holds significant implications not only for Bolsonaro's future but also for Brazil's political integrity amidst pressures from both domestic supporters and international observers.
