Bolsonaro Faces Guilt in Coup Plot as Pressure Intensifies

Mon Sep 15 2025 14:59:38 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Jair Bolsonaro's political future hangs in precarious balance as the first of five justices finds him guilty in a coup plot trial. With serious allegations against him, the repercussions could reshape Brazil's political landscape.

In a significant legal development, former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has been found guilty by the first of five Supreme Court judges in his trial concerning an alleged plot to overturn the 2022 election results. Justice Alexandre de Moraes declared that there is convincing evidence of Bolsonaro's involvement in a coup attempt, which could lead to a lengthy prison sentence if at least three other justices arrive at the same conclusion. Critics highlight the deepening political divisions within Brazil, as allegations of bias against the judicial panel emerge, while Bolsonaro's supporters proclaim the trial to be politically motivated.

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 said that Bolsonaro had led the 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 - some of whom are top military officers - stand accused of trying to prevent President-elect Lula from taking up office.

The seven co-defendants have also denied the charges.

Justice Moraes said there was plenty of evidence of a plot to kill Lula, his vice-presidential running mate, and Justice Moraes himself.

Moraes showed a document detailing the plan, codenamed Operation Green and Yellow Dagger, with key sections highlighted.

According to investigators, the defendants failed to enlist enough support from the military for the plan to go ahead.

But Moraes argued that the defendants' efforts culminated in the storming of Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace by thousands of Bolsonaro supporters on January 8, 2023 - one week after Lula was sworn into office.

Order was quickly restored and more than 1,500 people were arrested.

Speaking at the trial, Moraes noted that Brazil had come close to descending into authoritarianism due to the actions of a criminal organisation, comprised of a political group.

Bolsonaro's lawyers state their client is suffering from health problems following a stabbing incident during his campaign in 2018, which has left him with recurring issues. They report that he followed the proceedings from his home in Brasília under house arrest.

The trial has deepened divisions in Brazil, with Bolsonaro supporters alleging bias from the five-member panel while critics argue that decisive action is essential for restoring democracy.