Bolsonaro takes the stand in historic Brazil coup trial

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro has begun going through cross-examination in a historic trial in Brazil’s Supreme Courtroom, accused of masterminding a plot to stage a coup after failing to be reelected in 2022.

The populist far-right chief and 7 of his former associates are being tried for his or her half in an alleged plan to cling to energy after Bolsonaro misplaced the 2022 presidential elections to leftist candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

This marks the primary time in Brazilian historical past {that a} former head of state is being tried for making an attempt to overthrow the federal government.

The alleged plot included a plan to assassinate or arrest President-elect Lula da Silva earlier than his inauguration on Jan. 1, 2023, in addition to Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Supreme Courtroom Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The plot, often called “Operation Green and Yellow Dagger,” was reportedly coordinated via encrypted messages and included surveillance of de Moraes.

The hearings have additionally delved into the Jan. 8, 2023, riots, when 1000’s of Bolsonaro supporters stormed authorities buildings, calling for a navy coup only a week after Lula’s inauguration.

A five-justice panel at Brazil’s Supreme Courtroom in Brasilia has been listening to testimony from high-ranking navy and political figures for over two weeks now, with over 80 witnesses because of seem throughout the course of the trial. This week, the eight defendants — together with Bolsonaro — are taking the stand, with one former aide, Military Lt. Col. Mauro Cid, now cooperating as a key witness.

The alleged plot got here to mild final November, when Federal Police investigators printed an 884-page report detailing an elaborate plan to dismantle Brazil’s democracy.

The eight individuals accused, together with Bolsonaro, are known as “Nucleus 1” for his or her central function within the alleged plot, and embrace 4 of Bolsonaro’s former ministers. The lads stand accused of 5 counts, together with “violent abolition of the democratic rule of law,” selling a “coup d’état” and “deterioration of listed heritage” — a reference to the widespread destruction of presidency buildings by rioters in Brasilia on Jan. 8.

The primary witness to take the stand this week was Cid, Bolsonaro’s former right-hand man, who testified for over 4 hours on Monday. Cid, who blew the whistle on the alleged coup plot, claimed Bolsonaro reviewed and edited the draft of the coup plan. Subsequent to testify was Alexandre Ramagem, former head of Brazil’s Intelligence Company, who denied spying on authorities.

A former military captain, Bolsonaro, 70, is testifying earlier than Justice de Moraes, who’s main the trial. De Moraes has change into a polarizing determine, going through criticism from Bolsonaro and his allies — together with Elon Musk and President Donald Trump — because of his crackdown on disinformation and alleged censorship.

As Bolsonaro takes the stand, the courtroom shall be a battleground not just for authorized accountability but in addition for the broader ideological battle between democratic establishments and populist forces within the nation. The trial, broadcast dwell on the Judiciary’s TV and web channels, is seen as a pivotal second in Brazil’s democratic historical past, 61 years after the 1964 coup that established a bloody 21-year navy dictatorship.

Bolsonaro has already been barred from working for workplace till 2030, however enjoys massive political affect in Congress and recognition. If discovered responsible, he might resist 40 years in jail. The previous president has constantly denied the fees. Throughout a break in court docket on Monday, he advised journalists he was not making ready for jail as a result of there was “no reason to convict” him. “I have a clear conscience,” he stated.