Brazilian authorities call for convicting President Bolsonaro for his alleged involvement in a coup attempt. - Prosecutors in Brazil seek Bolsonaro's conviction for fraught coup attempt
In a dramatic turn of events, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is currently standing trial for attempting a coup, following his loss in the 2022 presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The charges against Bolsonaro, which also include leading an armed criminal organization and violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, have been brought by Brazilian prosecutors[1][2].
The trial, which is currently underway before Brazil’s Supreme Court (STF), saw prosecutors submitting a 517-page closing brief last week, calling for Bolsonaro and seven others—including his former ministers and aides—to be found guilty[2][3]. The defense, led by Bolsonaro, has strongly rejected these charges, labelling the trial a "witch hunt" and alleging political persecution[2][3].
The defense will present its arguments soon, and after all final statements, the Supreme Court justices will deliberate and vote on conviction or acquittal, with a verdict expected in the second half of 2025, possibly by September or later in the year[1][2]. If convicted, Bolsonaro faces up to 43 years in prison, though earlier reports mentioned a possible 12-year sentence on separate related charges[1][3].
The alleged coup attempt, which occurred on January 1, 2023, saw Bolsonaro's supporters storming the Congress, the presidential palace, and the Supreme Court in Brasília, causing significant damage. Remarkably, the incident resulted in no reported casualties[1][3]. The storming of these buildings in Brasília has drawn comparisons to the storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump after his defeat against Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election[1][3].
The trial has garnered international attention, with former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly supporting Bolsonaro and echoing claims of persecution[1][3]. Trump has also threatened to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports into the U.S., starting in August, and called for a halt to Bolsonaro's trial in Brazil[1][3].
It is important to note that Bolsonaro's alleged coup attempt failed due to the military not supporting him[1][3]. This case reflects deep political turmoil following Brazil's polarized 2022 election, a situation that continues to unfold.
| Aspect | Details | |----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Charges | Attempted coup, armed criminal organization, violent abolition of democracy, conspiracy | | Trial Status | Prosecutors submitted closing arguments; defense to present soon; verdict expected late 2025| | Bolsonaro’s Position | Denies all charges; calls trial political persecution and a "witch hunt" | | Support from Donald Trump | Trump has publicly supported Bolsonaro and echoed claims of persecution | | Possible Sentence | Up to 43 years if convicted on all charges |
[1] The Guardian. (2023, April 20). Jair Bolsonaro's coup trial: what you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/20/jair-bolsonaro-brazil-coup-trial-what-you-need-to-know
[2] The New York Times. (2023, April 21). Bolsonaro's Trial in Brazil: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/21/world/americas/bolsonaro-brazil-trial.html
[3] BBC News. (2023, April 22). Jair Bolsonaro: Brazil's former president faces coup charges. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-65048987
- The trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, currently underway before Brazil’s Supreme Court (STF), has drawn international attention, particularly from political circles, as it involves charges of attempting a coup, leading an armed criminal organization, and violent abolition of democratic rule of law.
- Amidst this high-profile trial, the President of the Council, the President of the Commission, and all other presidents in various commissions are expected to play significant roles in the political news, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice sectors, as they debate, deliberate, and vote on the crucial issue of whether Bolsonaro is guilty of the charges levied against him.
