Brazil’s Bolsonaro Accused of Leading Coup Plot: Report

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Brazil’s Bolsonaro Accused of Leading Coup Plot: Report \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s former president, has been accused of orchestrating a coup plot to retain power following his 2022 election loss. An unsealed Federal Police report implicates him and 36 allies in a plan thwarted by military leaders’ refusal to cooperate. The allegations, if proven, could lead to a prison sentence of 15 or more years for Bolsonaro, who denies all charges and claims political persecution.

Bolsonaro Coup Plot: Quick Looks

Federal Police Findings: Bolsonaro and 36 individuals were implicated in a coup attempt through an 884-page report.
Active Participation: The report identifies Bolsonaro as a key planner and participant, not merely an observer.
Military Resistance: Plans to suspend Brazil’s electoral court failed due to army and air force commanders’ objections.
Failed Decree: A draft decree was prepared to investigate alleged election fraud, but Bolsonaro never signed it.
Broader Legal Trouble: Bolsonaro faces charges including forming a criminal organization and could face 15+ years in prison.
Parallel Investigations: Other cases involve smuggling, vaccine record falsification, and incitement of a January 2023 riot.
Calls for Amnesty: Some supporters, including Bolsonaro’s son, are advocating for wide-ranging amnesty.

Deep Look

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro stands accused of leading a calculated coup plot to retain power after losing the 2022 election to leftist rival Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. This revelation comes from an 884-page Federal Police report that was unsealed on Tuesday, shedding light on Bolsonaro’s alleged direct involvement and outlining his role as a central figure in the conspiracy.

The investigation reveals that Bolsonaro, along with 36 other individuals, intended to overturn Brazil’s democratic order. The unsealed document includes testimonies from witnesses and evidence collected during the investigation, portraying the ex-president as a driving force behind the attempted coup. Far from being a passive observer, Bolsonaro is described as actively engaging in and orchestrating the plan.

The Failed Coup Plan

The report details a meeting convened by Bolsonaro in December 2022 with commanders of Brazil’s armed forces. During this meeting, Bolsonaro allegedly presented a draft decree that sought to investigate claims of electoral fraud in the October 2022 election. The decree, if enacted, would have also suspended the powers of the nation’s electoral court, effectively undermining the democratic process and preventing Lula’s inauguration.

While the navy’s commander appeared willing to support the plan, both the army and air force commanders resisted, refusing to participate in actions that would delay Lula’s ascent to power. Their refusal, according to investigators, was the primary reason the plan never advanced.

Despite Bolsonaro’s repeated claims that the allegations are baseless, Federal Police assert that he had planned to launch the coup on December 15, 2022. The report also highlights efforts by pro-Bolsonaro digital militias to harass military officials who opposed the plan, illustrating the extent of the alleged conspiracy.

Bolsonaro’s Denials

Bolsonaro has strongly denied the accusations, labeling them as absurd and part of a politically motivated effort to tarnish his reputation. “The word ‘coup’ has never been in my dictionary,” he told journalists in Brasilia. He dismissed the notion that a coup could be executed with limited support, emphasizing that his administration never seriously considered such an action.

Legal Ramifications

Despite Bolsonaro’s denials, the allegations carry severe consequences. Federal Police have formally accused him of three major crimes: violent elimination of the rule of law, staging a coup, and forming a criminal organization. Legal experts suggest that if convicted, Bolsonaro could face a prison sentence of at least 11 years, with some predicting a term of 15 years or more.

Rodrigo Rios, a law professor in Curitiba, highlighted the seriousness of the charges. “A woman involved in the Jan. 8 attack on the Supreme Court received a 17-year prison sentence,” he noted, adding that Bolsonaro’s central role in the alleged coup plot makes his situation even graver.

Connections to the January 2023 Riot

The report also draws parallels to the January 8, 2023 riot in Brasilia, during which Bolsonaro supporters stormed key government buildings, including the Supreme Court and the presidential palace. The rioters sought military intervention to oust Lula, echoing themes from the alleged coup plot. Bolsonaro, who had traveled to the United States just days before Lula’s inauguration, is under investigation for his potential role in inciting the unrest.

Ongoing Investigations

The coup allegations are just one of several legal challenges facing Bolsonaro. Authorities are investigating whether he smuggled undeclared diamond jewelry into Brazil, falsified COVID-19 vaccination records for himself and others, and abused his power to undermine confidence in Brazil’s electronic voting system. In June 2023, he was barred from holding public office until 2030 after being found guilty of spreading baseless claims about election fraud.

Despite his legal troubles, Bolsonaro has publicly stated his intention to run in the 2026 presidential election, further complicating Brazil’s political landscape.

Calls for Amnesty

Amid the controversy, some of Bolsonaro’s allies are advocating for political amnesty. Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, his son, argued during a Senate session that granting amnesty to his father, allies, and supporters would help restore political stability. He also called for amnesty for Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a key investigator in the case. De Moraes, who was a target of the alleged plot, has vowed to continue the investigation despite calls for his impeachment.