Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro has been formally charged in connection with an alleged coup attempt aimed at overturning the 2022 election results.
Prosecutors accuse Bolsonaro and 33 others of participating in a conspiracy to prevent the transfer of power to his opponent, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The charges include armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of democratic rule, coup d’état, and damage qualified by violence.
According to Brazil’s Attorney General’s Office, the alleged plot began in 2021, when Bolsonaro and his allies sought to undermine public trust in electronic voting machines. In 2022, he reportedly met with ambassadors and diplomatic representatives, spreading claims of election fraud to prepare the international community for a potential rejection of the election results.
Despite no evidence of fraud, prosecutors say Bolsonaro and his co-defendants continued their efforts to discredit the electoral system. They further allege that Bolsonaro approved a coup plan, which included discussions of removing or even assassinating Lula and his vice president to prevent them from assuming office.
The most visible attempt to challenge the election occurred on January 8, 2023, when Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings in Brasília, vandalizing the Supreme Court, Congress, and the presidential palace. Prosecutors claim that key figures in the alleged coup encouraged and mobilized these groups in a last-ditch effort to overthrow the government.
Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that he had no involvement in a coup attempt. However, this case adds to his growing legal troubles, including an investigation into his handling of COVID-19 and allegations of falsifying vaccination records.
The charges mark a significant moment in Brazil’s political landscape, as the country grapples with the fallout from one of the most contentious elections in its history. If convicted, Bolsonaro and his co-defendants could face severe legal consequences, further deepening the political divide in the country.
As the case unfolds, the international community will be closely watching how Brazil handles the prosecution of a former president, a rare and high-stakes moment in the nation’s democratic history.
