A majority of Brazil's Supreme Court has upheld charges against former President Jair Bolsonaro over his alleged attempt to cling to power after his defeat in the 2022 elections.
Three judges voted to convict him. The final result will be known after all five judges vote.
The three judges also said that seven of Bolsonaro's close associates should stand trial on five counts: attempted coup d'état, participation in an armed criminal organization, attempted violent suppression of democratic law and order, causing harm with violence and creating a serious threat to state assets, and deterioration of cultural heritage sites.
The former president has repeatedly denied his accusations and claimed that he is a victim of political persecution.
Under Brazilian law, a conviction for attempted coup d'état carries a prison sentence of up to 12 years. When combined with other charges, it could result in years of imprisonment.
Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet said on Tuesday that the defendants had tried to keep Bolsonaro in power “at any cost” through a complex scheme that intensified after his election defeat to incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
As Mr. Gonet alleged in his February indictment of Mr. Bolsonaro and 33 others, part of the plot was to assassinate Mr. Lula and Judge Alexandre de Moraes, whom the alleged conspirators had been monitoring.
According to Mr. Gonet, the plan was not carried out only because at the last moment the accused failed to secure the support of the army commander.
“The members of the criminal organization were disappointed, but did not abandon the violent seizure of power even after the elected president of the republic was sworn in,” the prosecutor noted.
The reference was to the riots of January 8, 2023, when Bolsonaro supporters entered the Supreme Court, the presidential palace and Congress in Brasilia a week after Mr Lula took office.
The Supreme Court is considering whether to accept charges against eight of the 34 defendants Mr. Ghosné accused of complicity in the coup plot.
Observers believe the charges are likely to be accepted.
In addition to Bolsonaro, the court will also vote on charges brought against his running mate in the 2022 elections, as well as former Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto, former Justice Minister Anderson Torres and his assistant Mauro Cid.
The fate of the remaining accused
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
