Brazil’s far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro is testifying before the nation’s Supreme Court, denying involvement in an alleged coup plot to remain in power and overturn the 2022 election result that he lost to current leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro faces prison sentences of up to 40 years on charges of attempting a coup, involvement in an armed criminal organization, and other serious crimes.
Bolsonaro claims there was never any talk of a coup during his government, despite allegations that he received a draft decree for declaring a state of emergency and editing it. His former right-hand man Mauro Cid testified that Bolsonaro had “received and read” the document, which would have paved the way for measures to “redo the election.”
However, most defendants in the trial so far have rejected the bulk of the accusations. The accused risk prison sentences of up to 12 years on one count and could face a total sentence of up to 40 years if convicted on all charges.
Two former army commanders claimed Bolsonaro hosted a meeting where the declaration of a state of emergency was discussed as a means of overturning Lula’s election victory. However, Bolsonaro denies these claims, saying he is being persecuted by the press and politicians.
Bolsonaro’s lawyers argue that they have nothing to convict him with, and his conscience is clear. The former leader has been banned from running in elections until 2030 over abuse of power while in office but still hopes to run in the 2026 presidential elections.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/10/brazils-bolsonaro-testifies-before-supreme-court-over-alleged-coup-plan