In a statement issued on Thursday, Brazil's federal police formally accused former Pres. Jair Bolsonaro of plotting a coup d'état, trying to violently abolish the democratic rule of law and involvement in a criminal organization after his 2022 election loss.This comes as days after four military officers and a federal police officer were arrested over an alleged plot to kill Lula, Vice Pres. Geraldo Alckmin and de Moraes before Bolsonaro left office. Some outlets have claimed that police found evidence the former president had full knowledge of the plan, but this hasn't been confirmed.
Three dozen other men were also accused, including four former cabinet ministers, the former intelligence chief, the chairman of Bolsonaro's Liberal Party, military personnel, and a political consultant to Argentina's Pres. Javier Milei.In a statement issued on Thursday, Brazil's federal police formally accused former Pres. Jair Bolsonaro of plotting a coup d'état, trying to violently abolish the democratic rule of law, and involvement in a criminal organization after his 2022 election loss.
This may be just the first step toward holding Bolsonaro and his accomplices accountable for their coup attempt, but these recommended charges are great news asbecause they indicate that investigators found enough evidence to believe they are guilty. ThoughIt's shocking that a former president was behind a coup, heand willBolsonaro eventually will end up in jail.
It's hardly a surprise that Brazilian authorities have formally called for Bolsonaro and several of his allies to be charged with coup plot. As long warned, the right-wing Brazilian leader has been politically persecuted since his first day out of office in a blatant example of leftist lawfare.