BRAZIL’S former president has been found guilty of plotting a military coup.
Jair Bolsonaro, 70, is convicted of leading a conspiracy aimed aimed at keeping himself in power after he lost the 2022 election to left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
AFPBrazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has been found guilty of plotting a military coup[/caption]
GettyViolent riots broke out against government buildings in the capital Brasília due to the coup[/caption]
He was accused of riling up a furious movement to reject the result in the wake of his defeat.
This culminated in violent riots in Brazil‘s capital, Brasília, in January 2023, a week after Silva took office.
A baying mob of Bolsonaro’s supporters attacked government buildings, wreaking havoc in the Supreme Federal Court and the National Congress Palace amongst other targets.
His lawyers have always denied his involvement or support for any coup movement.
Bolsonaro and his cronies hatched a plan to commandeer all three branches of government and poison the current President, according to the charge sheet.
Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet said the alleged plot also involved shooting dead Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes – an old foe of the former President.
A total of 34 people were charged over the alleged plot, including high-ranking military officials from Bolsonaro’s administration.
Today, Bolsonaro was officially found guilty by Brazil’s Supreme Court who reached the majority of three votes needed.
Casting the decisive vote, Justice Cármen Lúcia found him guilty on all five charges.
These included attempting to stage a coup, leading an armed criminal organisation, attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, and two more charges related to the damage of property during the storming of buildings in Brasília.
The charges could carry a huge sentence of up to 40 years in prison prison.
Sentencing is scheduled for Friday.
One judge voted to acquit him with Cristiano Zanin yet to vote.
His lawyers are expected to lodge appeals to the guilty verdict.
The far-right politician who governed Brazil between 2019 and 2022 is currently under house arrest.
Bolsonaro is the first former Brazilian president to be convicted of attempting a coup.
Timeline of Jair Bolsonaro’s coup
January 1, 2019 – Bolsonaro takes office
October 2, 2022 – General elections held in Brazil, and Bolsonaro loses
December 30, 2022 – Bolsonaro leaves Brazil for the US
January 1, 2023 – Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva takes office as President
January 8, 2023 – Major riots on government buildings in the capital
November, 2024 – Brazil’s Federal Police file a report detailing the alleged scheme
February 18, 2025 – Charges brought against Bolsonaro and 33 others for an alleged coup plot
September 11, 2025 – Bolsonaro found guilty on all five charges
ReutersThe plot allegedly involved poisoning the sitting President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
