A majority of Brazil's Supreme Court justices have upheld charges brought against former President Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly trying to cling to power after his defeat in the 2022 elections.
Three judges voted to commit him to trial. The final result will be announced after all five judges vote.
Three judges said seven of Bolsonaro's closest associates should also stand trial on five counts: attempted coup d'état, participation in an armed criminal organization, attempted violent destruction of the democratic legal 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 guilt and claimed that he is being subjected to political persecution.
Under Brazilian law, the penalty for a coup d'état can be up to 12 years in prison. When combined with other charges, it could result in a multi-year sentence.
Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet said on Tuesday that the defendants sought to keep Bolsonaro in power “at any cost” through a multi-stage scheme that intensified after the far-right politician was defeated in the election by incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
As he did in his February indictment of Mr. Bolsonaro and 33 others, Mr. Gonet said part of the conspiracy was a plan to kill Mr. Lula and Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who were under surveillance by the alleged conspirators.
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 they did not abandon the idea of a violent seizure of power even after the new president of the republic was sworn in,” the prosecutor said.
It was a reference to the riots of January 8, 2023, when Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed the Supreme Court, the presidential palace and Congress in Brasilia a week after Mr Lula took office.
The Supreme Court is deciding whether to accept charges against eight of the 34 people Mr. Gonet accused of participating in the plot.
Observers suggest the charges are likely to be accepted.
In addition to Bolsonaro, the court will vote on charges against his running mate in the 2022 elections, as well as former Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto, former Justice Minister Anderson Torres and his aide Mauro Cid.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
