RIO DE JANEIRO — The trial of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro is currently underway, with the verdict and sentencing phase beginning as of Tuesday. The Supreme Court has scheduled sessions until September 12 to evaluate accusations against the former leader, who allegedly tried to lead a conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election, where he was narrowly defeated by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Bolsonaro, who denies any wrongdoing, faces five charges related to his alleged involvement in a coup attempt. He is currently under house arrest and has frequently claimed that the trial is politically driven. His narrative has garnered support from notable allies such as former President Donald Trump, who has described the legal proceedings as a "witch hunt" and suggested that it has repercussions on Brazilian exports, proposing a 50% tariff on imported Brazilian goods.
The specific charges against Bolsonaro include attempting to stage a coup, participating in an armed criminal organization, and attempting to violently abolish democratic governance. Additional charges include two counts related to the destruction of state property. If found guilty of the coup plot charge alone, Bolsonaro could face a sentence of up to 12 years.
In addition to Bolsonaro, seven close associates, including his former running mate Walter Braga Netto and ex-defense minister Paulo Sérgio Nogueira, are also on trial. Prior to this trial, Brazil's top electoral court had already banned Bolsonaro from participating in elections until 2030 due to alleged abuse of power and his attempts to undermine confidence in the electronic voting system.
Evidence presented during the trial by federal investigators indicates that there was a concerted effort to disseminate misinformation regarding Brazil's voting system as part of a broader strategy to retain Bolsonaro in power. The prosecution alleges that this plan included serious threats against President Lula as well as a Supreme Court justice and highlights the violent riots on January 8, 2023, when Bolsonaro's supporters stormed government buildings in a bid for military intervention against Lula's presidency.
The prosecution concluded its case in July, followed by the defense's arguments wrapping up in mid-August. Shortly after, law enforcement escalated matters by accusing Bolsonaro and his son Eduardo of obstruction of justice in a separate incident involving claims that the former president wished to flee to Argentina for political asylum. Meanwhile, Eduardo Bolsonaro has moved to the United States and has been actively seeking sanctions against Brazilian justice officials overseeing his father's case.
Due to concerns regarding Bolsonaro being a potential flight risk, the Supreme Court has mandated additional security measures, including the inspection of vehicles leaving his residence and implementing in-person surveillance around his dwelling.
This trial has been characterized as historic since it is unprecedented for high-ranking officials in Brazil to face criminal charges for an attempted coup. Brazil has a troubled history with military dictatorships, having been under military rule from 1964 to 1985. During this period, there was a lack of accountability for human rights abuses, and Bolsonaro has been noted for expressing nostalgia for that era. Lucas Figueiredo, an author on Brazil's dictatorship, emphasized the significance of the trial as it marks a departure from a longstanding tradition of impunity surrounding military actions.
As Brazil navigates this legal landscape, observers note that the outcomes of this trial could reshape the country's political dynamics and set a precedent for dealing with political corruption and accountability, particularly when it involves high-ranking officials in power.
