Jair Bolsonaro: Brazil's former president denies coup allegations
BBC NewsFEB 20 2024
According to the nearly 900-page final investigation report sent to the Supreme Court and made public on Tuesday, police found "unequivocal" evidence that Bolsonaro "planned, acted" and "had full awareness" of a coup plot, as well as knowledge of a plan to kill Lula and then Vice Pres.-elect Geraldo Alckmin.
The document further says that the coup "did not take place due to reasons unrelated to [Bolsonaro's] desire" — namely resistance from Army and Air Force commanders and from the majority of the army's high command. Now, it's up to Brazil's prosecutor general to decide whether to press charges against the 37 individuals.
Speaking to reporters in Brasília on Monday, Bolsonaro said that "as far as [he was] concerned, there was never any discussion of a coup." He admitted to "have studied all the possible measures" within the Constitution, even briefly considering declaring a state of siege after his party was fined for challenging the election results.
These audio recordings further expose that the right-wing Brazilian leader has been politically persecuted in a blatant example of leftist lawfare. It was hardly a surprise that Brazilian authorities formally called for him and several of his allies to be charged with coup plot, as such a move has been expected since his first day out of office.
Even if this coup failed, accountability for what happened in Brazil isn't only a matter of justice but is crucial for the future of the country's democracy. Investigations have revealed a coordinated, multi-pronged attempt by Bolsonaro and his accomplices to undermine the election's result. The political influence of Brazil's military can't be underestimated, and this is a concern that politicians must confront in the future.