Former President Bolsonaro involved in 2022 coup plot

(CLO) Brazilian federal police have just presented evidence to the Supreme Court showing that former President Jair Bolsonaro was directly involved in planning a coup to overturn the results of the 2022 election that he lost.

The 884-page report, made public on Tuesday (November 26), summarizes the results of an investigation that lasted nearly two years.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Photo: REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

The report details evidence gathered from search warrants, wiretaps, financial records and testimony in plea agreements, indicating that Mr. Bolsonaro was the head of a criminal conspiracy.

"Bolsonaro has planned, directed and implemented, in coordination with other officials since at least 2019, specific actions aimed at eliminating the democratic rule of law in order to maintain power," the report said.

Police also found that Mr Bolsonaro had “clear knowledge” of the plan to assassinate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the president-elect at the time, and his running mate, based on conversations between the conspirators and meetings at the presidential palace.

The report also cites eight key pieces of evidence that form the basis for formal charges against Mr Bolsonaro, including a December 2022 meeting where Mr Bolsonaro met with senior commanders of the armed forces, proposed a coup and asked them to join.

According to police, the army and air force commanders refused to participate, while former navy commander Almir Garnier Santos expressed support. Santos is now one of 37 people accused, along with Bolsonaro, of involvement in the coup attempt.

Brazil's Attorney General Paulo Gonet will decide whether to prosecute Bolsonaro and his alleged accomplices. Bolsonaro faces charges of attempted coup, violent abolition of the rule of law and criminal organization. He has denied any wrongdoing.

The investigation also revealed the important role of Walter Braga Netto, former defense minister and vice presidential candidate in Bolsonaro's coalition in 2022. Braga Netto denied the allegations and affirmed: "This is not a coup, nor is it a plan to assassinate someone."

Mr Bolsonaro has never acknowledged defeat to Lula, who took office on January 1, 2023. The latest formal charges further damage his plans to run for president in 2026.

Donald Trump's recent victory in the US presidential election has been a source of motivation for Bolsonaro's allies, as they try to overturn a ruling that bars him from holding public office from 2022 for actions that undermine the legitimacy of elections.

In addition to the coup charges, Bolsonaro also faces two separate investigations into falsifying COVID-19 vaccination records and embezzling jewelry donated by Saudi Arabia. The prosecutor general plans to combine the three investigations into a comprehensive indictment, which is expected to be released next year.

Cao Phong (according to Reuters, CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/canh-sat-brazil-cuu-tong-thong-bolsonaro-tham-gia-vao-am-muu-dao-chinh-nam-2022-post323082.html