Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro has been formally charged with attempting a coup to remain in office after his 2022 election defeat. The prosecutor-general alleges that Bolsonaro was part of a plot that included a plan to poison his successor, current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and kill a Supreme Court judge. The indictment claims Bolsonaro and 33 others conspired to stay in power through various illegal means, including attacking institutions and undermining the democratic order. The charges stem from a report filed by Brazil’s Federal Police detailing the scheme in November. If the Supreme Court accepts the charges, Bolsonaro will stand trial.
Bolsonaro denies any wrongdoing and has referred to the accusations as baseless. His lawyer has not commented on the charges yet. In addition to being accused of participating in a coup, the defendants are also charged with other crimes, such as participating in an armed criminal organization and threatening the state’s assets. The prosecutor-general’s office described the charges as historic and a testament to the strength and independence of Brazil’s institutions. Despite being barred from running in the 2026 election due to previous legal issues, Bolsonaro still maintains a significant following and is seen as a potential competitor against Lula in future elections. The situation has been described as political drama that will eventually settle.
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