Lawyers for Bolsonaro petition for not guilty verdict in Brazilian coup trial
The long-awaited trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for alleged coup attempts is nearing its conclusion, with the verdict and sentencing scheduled to be delivered between September 2 and 12, 2025, by Brazil’s Supreme Court.
Key details of the trial reveal that Bolsonaro is charged with five counts, including attempting a coup, involvement in an armed criminal organization, and attempted violent abolition of democratic rule.
The prosecution alleges that Bolsonaro led a criminal conspiracy to overturn the 2022 election results, including plans to assassinate President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and a Supreme Court Justice. However, Bolsonaro denies all wrongdoing and his defense asserts that no coup attempt happened and that he allowed a peaceful presidential transition.
The trial has polarized public opinion in Brazil and drawn international attention, including comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has signed an executive order imposing 50% tariffs on many Brazilian imports, citing Bolsonaro's "politically motivated persecution."
Recently, police accused Bolsonaro and his son of obstructing the trial process ahead of the verdict. The defense argues that there is no way to convict Bolsonaro based on the evidence presented in the case file.
Bolsonaro's legal team has stated that he is innocent of all charges in a 197-page document submitted during closing arguments. If found guilty, Bolsonaro faces up to 40 years in prison.
The trial has fueled diplomatic tension between Brazil and the United States, with Bolsonaro's legal proceedings causing a rift between the two nations. The case stems from the Jan. 8, 2023, storming of government buildings in Brasilia by thousands of Bolsonaro supporters, a week after Lula's inauguration. The demonstrators claimed the election was fraudulent and called on the military to intervene.
The case file includes allegations of meetings where draft decrees were presented, including potential imprisonment of Supreme Court judges. The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.
Bolsonaro was placed under house arrest in Brasilia this month for violating a ban on using social media to plead his case to the public. Bolsonaro has maintained his innocence for months, calling any coup "abhorrent."
[1] BBC News. (2025). Brazil: Ex-President Bolsonaro on trial for coup attempt. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-58887045
[2] The Guardian. (2025). Bolsonaro faces fresh obstruction of justice charge in coup trial. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/23/bolsonaro-faces-fresh-obstruction-of-justice-charge-in-coup-trial
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