Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro Found Guilty of Attempted Coup.

Verdict for the former President of Brazil

According to The Sun: The former president of Brazil has been found guilty of conspiracy to carry out a military coup.

70-year-old Jair Bolsonaro was found guilty of conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after losing the 2022 elections to leftist competitor Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He was accused of inciting actions that denied the election results, leading to mass riots in the Brazilian capital, a week after Lula took office.

Supporters of Bolsonaro attacked government buildings, causing damage to the Supreme Federal Court and the National Congress among other sites.

Bolsonaro's lawyers denied that he was involved in or supported any attempts at a coup.

Charges and Verdict

According to the prosecution, Bolsonaro and his followers developed a plan aimed at seizing all three branches of power and poisoning the current president. Attorney General Paulo Gonet noted that one of his plans also included the assassination of Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, one of the former president's opponents.

A total of 34 individuals were charged in this conspiracy, including high-ranking military officials during Bolsonaro's presidency.

Today, the Supreme Court of Brazil officially found Bolsonaro guilty, obtaining the necessary three votes.

Judge Carmen Lucia, who cast the decisive vote, found him guilty on all five charges, including attempted coup organizing, participation in an armed criminal organization, attempted violent overthrow of democratic governance, and two other charges related to property damage during the storming of buildings in Brasilia.

These charges could lead to a lengthy prison sentence of up to 40 years.

The verdict is expected on Friday. One judge voted to acquit Bolsonaro, and Christiano Zanini has yet to vote. The former president's lawyers plan to appeal the verdict.

Bolsonaro, who was president from 2019 to 2022, is currently under house arrest. He is the first former president of Brazil to be found guilty of attempting a coup.

Despite numerous legal troubles, Bolsonaro remains an influential figure in Brazil. Days before the confirmation of his verdict, thousands of his supporters marched in São Paulo, protesting against the Supreme Court over the coup case.

This case is significant in the context of the political landscape in Brazil, as it reflects the deep political divide in society. Bolsonaro's verdict could have a significant impact on his supporters and the future development of the political situation in the country. Modern Brazil stands at a crossroads, and the events surrounding the former president will continue to attract attention both within and outside the country.