Brazil’s Prosecutor-General Files Charges Against Jair Bolsonaro for Attempting Coup
By Eléonore Hughes and Mauricio Savarese, The Associated Press
Brazil’s prosecutor-general on Tuesday filed charges against former President Jair Bolsonaro for attempting to stage a coup to stay in office after his 2022 election defeat.
Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet alleges that Bolsonaro and 33 others participated in a plan to remain in power despite losing to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Last November, Federal Police filed a 884-page report with Gonet detailing the scheme. They allege it involved systematically sowing distrust of the electoral system among the populace, drafting a decree to give the plot a veneer of legality, pressuring top military brass to go along with the plan, and inciting a riot in the capital.
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The Supreme Court will analyze the charges and, if accepted, Bolsonaro will stand trial.
The far-right leader denies wrongdoing. “I have no concerns about the accusations, zero,” Bolsonaro told journalists earlier on Tuesday during a visit to the Senate in Brasilia.
“Have you seen the coup decree, by any chance? You haven’t. Neither have I,” he added.
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A lawyer for Bolsonaro did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Conclusion
The filing of charges against Bolsonaro marks a significant development in the ongoing political crisis in Brazil. The former president’s denial of wrongdoing and his claims that the allegations are baseless have been met with skepticism by many.
FAQs
Q: What are the allegations against Jair Bolsonaro?
A: The allegations include attempting to stage a coup to stay in office after his 2022 election defeat, sowing distrust of the electoral system, and pressuring top military brass to go along with the plan.
Q: What is the reaction of Jair Bolsonaro to the allegations?
A: Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing and claims that the allegations are baseless.
Q: What is the next step in the process?
A: The Supreme Court will analyze the charges and, if accepted, Bolsonaro will stand trial.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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