Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been charged with involvement in an alleged coup plot, seeking to overturn the results of the 2022 election and keep his opponent from taking power. The charges, filed by prosecutors on Tuesday, include attempting a violent abolition of democratic rule, coup d’état, and damage caused by violence.
Prosecutors claim the plot began in 2021, with efforts to undermine public trust in electronic voting machines. Bolsonaro allegedly met with ambassadors to discuss accusations of voting fraud in an attempt to prepare the international community for disregarding the popular will in the presidential elections.
Despite finding no evidence of election fraud, Bolsonaro and others continued their campaign to discredit the electoral system. The alleged plan, which included the death of elected President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his vice president, was set in motion on January 8, 2023, when supporters allegedly stormed and vandalized government buildings.
Bolsonaro faces up to 28 years in prison if found guilty. This case could set the stage for a high-profile trial, with Supreme Court justices pushing to conclude the trial before the end of 2025.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/18/americas/brazil-bolsonaro-charged-coup-plot-intl-latam/index.html