Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro was charged in connection to an alleged coup plot to overturn the 2022 election result, which he narrowly lost to far-left candidate Lalo da Silva.
Bolsonaro was among the 34 people facing charges, including attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law.
If the court formally accepts the case, Bolsonaro and others involved would officially become defendants, reports CNN.
To avoid any impact on Brazil’s 2026 presidential elections, Supreme Court justices aim to conclude the trial by the end of 2025. However, a decision on whether to proceed with the case or schedule preliminary hearings is not expected before early March.
In an 844-page indictment filed in November, federal police alleged that Bolsonaro had “full knowledge” of a plan to prevent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office. The indictment further claims that Bolsonaro “planned, acted in, and led directly and effectively” the effort.
Bolsonaro has denied the accusations, telling Brazilian magazine Veja that he “never agreed to any plan.”
