Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has once again become the target of legal action, with the country’s prosecutor general accusing him of involvement in an alleged coup attempt following the 2022 elections.
The charges, widely seen by Bolsonaro’s supporters as part of a politically motivated campaign, include claims of a plot to assassinate his successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Bolsonaro, who lost the tightly contested 2022 election to Lula under controversial circumstances, had raised concerns over irregularities in the country’s electronic voting system, a debate that has persisted for years in Brazil. After the election, he urged peaceful demonstrations but was not in Brazil when protests turned violent in January 2023.
Despite these facts, Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet has accused Bolsonaro and his former running mate, General Walter Braga Netto, of leading a so-called “criminal organization” aimed at preventing Lula from taking office.
The allegations also include claims that Bolsonaro was aware of plans to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a judge who has been at the centre of legal actions against conservative politicians and Bolsonaro allies.
The prosecution’s case rests on a 272-page indictment, which claims Bolsonaro had knowledge of these alleged plans. However, his legal team has categorically denied the accusations, describing them as “absurd and politically charged,” saying that Bolsonaro has always defended democratic institutions and had no involvement in any anti-government plot.
Observers note that these charges come amid ongoing political tensions in Brazil, where conservative figures have increasingly been targeted by the judiciary. Many see the Supreme Court’s actions—led by Justice de Moraes—as an attempt to silence Bolsonaro and his movement, which remains popular among millions of Brazilians.
In the wake of his defeat, Bolsonaro urged his supporters to remain peaceful and even distanced himself from any calls for unrest. Yet, despite his calls for calm, he was later banned from running for public office until 2030, an unprecedented decision that many legal experts viewed as excessive and politically motivated.
LOL, that prosecuter is covering his own arse.
He is the Deputy Electoral General Prosecutor and led the Electoral Public Ministry during the 2022 general elections.