Defense lawyers for ex-Brazilian President Bolsonaro seek not guilty verdict
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro Faces Coup Trial Verdict
The trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who served from 2019 to 2022, is nearing its conclusion. The verdict and sentencing for the alleged coup attempt following the 2022 presidential election are scheduled for early September 2025. The trial, being heard by a five-justice panel of Brazil's Supreme Court, will deliver rulings on five counts against Bolsonaro between September 2 and 12, 2025.
Bolsonaro is accused of leading a conspiracy to remain in power after narrowly losing the 2022 election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The charges include attempted coup, involvement in an armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of democratic rule, and destruction of state property. Prosecutors have presented evidence such as message exchanges and handwritten notes outlining the alleged plot, which also reportedly included plans to assassinate President Lula and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversees the case.
Despite these allegations, Bolsonaro denies any wrongdoing, and his defense claims no coup occurred as he allowed the presidential transition to proceed. The defense has requested the Supreme Court to acquit him.
In addition to the main charges, Brazilian police have accused Bolsonaro and his son of obstruction of justice related to the coup trial. If convicted of the main charges, Bolsonaro faces up to 40 years in prison.
The trial has raised concerns about the preservation of democratic institutions in Brazil. In early August 2023, Jair Bolsonaro was placed under house arrest at his home in Brasília for violating a ban on speaking on social media, before the outcome of his trial.
On January 8, 2023, thousands of Bolsonaro's supporters stormed the seats of institutions in Brasília, denouncing electoral fraud and calling for military intervention. Despite being ineligible until 2030 due to unfounded attacks on the reliability of electronic urns, the former president still hopes to run in the 2026 presidential election.
Bolsonaro, aged 70, and seven of his associates are accused of attempting to "maintain authoritarian power" despite his defeat by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The lawyers have argued that the "total lack of evidence" has been "demonstrated."
In June, Bolsonaro proclaimed his innocence before the Supreme Court, stating that "a coup d'état is an abominable thing." He faces up to 40 years in prison.
Jair Bolsonaro is a champion of the conservative movement in Latin America's largest economy. The outcome of his trial is soon to be known.
In the midst of his trial, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a prominent figure of the conservative movement in Latin America, denies the allegations of leading a coup and maintaining authoritarian power, despite being accused accompanied by his associates. The verdict and sentencing for these charges are scheduled for early September 2025, and the trial has sparked concerns about the preservation of democratic institutions in Brazil, given the potential for up to 40 years in prison if convicted. Meanwhile, the trial also involves accompanying charges of obstruction of justice related to the coup trial, further complicating the political landscape of Brazil and general news.
