Brazil’s Supreme Court Convicts Former President Jair Bolsonaro of Attempted Coup and Criminal Conspiracy
In a landmark decision, Brazil’s Supreme Court has voted to convict ex-president Jair Bolsonaro on charges of attempting a coup and criminal conspiracy. Three out of five justices cast their votes in favor of this verdict, marking the first time a former Brazilian head of state faces trial for such offenses.
The historic ruling will see Bolsonaro, who governed Brazil from 2019 to 2022, and seven alleged accomplices face charges that range from coup planning, attempted overthrow of democratic order, and participation in an armed criminal group. The verdict is expected on Friday after a trial that began with the guilty verdict delivered by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has been a vocal critic of Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro, currently under house arrest since August, also faces additional charges linked to riots in Brasília on January 8, 2023. On that day, his supporters stormed government buildings following his election loss to leftist leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, causing extensive property damage and destroying historical artifacts.
Justice de Moraes accused Bolsonaro of undermining democracy by spreading disinformation about Brazil’s voting system and inciting actions leading to the Brasília riots. He presented “overwhelming evidence” of a coup plot involving elite army personnel, including a document codenamed Operation Green and Yellow Dagger that detailed plans to assassinate then-President-elect Lula and Justice de Moraes himself.
While two other justices supported convictions on all charges, Justice Luiz Fux argued for Bolsonaro’s acquittal on all five counts. He suggested the case should be heard by the full 11-member Supreme Court, a point that could potentially be utilized by Bolsonaro’s defense team to appeal the final verdict.
Bolsonaro has consistently denied the allegations, with his lawyer, Celso Villardi, claiming there is no evidence linking him to a coup plot. The former president’s lawyers have stated they will appeal if found guilty. Meanwhile, relations between Brazil and the US have been strained due to the trial, with some viewing it as a “witch hunt.”
Bolsonaro, a former army captain, was Brazil’s first far-right president since the end of military rule in 1985. Known for his divisive policies during the COVID-19 pandemic and his support for gun rights, traditional family values, and an anti-gay stance, he continues to exert significant influence despite leaving office.
Despite legal challenges, including abuse of power and falsifying COVID vaccination records, Bolsonaro won 49% of the vote in 2022 and still draws tens of thousands to protests in his support. As he awaits a final verdict, his allies are vying for his political legacy ahead of next year’s elections, hoping to capitalize on his continued influence over Brazil’s political landscape.
For Brazil, this trial represents a critical moment in its history as it seeks to hold a former president accountable for allegedly attempting to undermine democracy and steer the country towards authoritarian rule, echoing past coup attempts such as the 1964 takeover that led to two decades of military rule.