Brazilian police formally indict ex-president Jair Bolsonaro over an alleged coup attempt, casting uncertainty on his political career.
On Thursday, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva addressed the Federal Police’s recent disclosures regarding an alleged conspiracy that involved plans to overthrow the government after the 2022 elections and assassinate him when he was President-elect.
During an official ceremony in Brasilia to launch highway concessions, Lula expressed his gratitude for being alive, saying that the attempt to poison him and Alckmin (Brazil’s vice president) had failed.
On Tuesday, Brazil’s Federal Police detained four special operations military personnel along with a federal police officer. They are accused of plotting to assassinate Lula’s running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
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The announcement was made prior to the Federal Police indicting former president Jair Bolsonaro and 36 others for allegedly trying to stage a coup in an effort to maintain his position following his defeat in the 2022 elections.
The police announced that their findings are set to be presented on Thursday to Brazil’s Supreme Court. The court will determine whether these should be forwarded to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet, who will then make the decision either to formally charge Bolsonaro and initiate a trial or dismiss the investigation.
The ex-right-wing president has denied all allegations that he attempted to remain in power following his narrow electoral defeat in 2022 by his opponent, the leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Since then, Bolsonaro has encountered numerous legal challenges.
