The Supreme Court of Brazil is reviewing an unprecedented case against political leader Jair Bolsonaro, who risks receiving up to a 40-year sentence for alleged crimes against the state order. The prosecution has filed formal charges, qualifying his actions as a dangerous attempt at a coup d'état.
The main accusation focuses on Bolsonaro's attempt to prevent the transfer of power after his election loss to current president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in October 2022. The investigation found that the former head of state led a criminal organization aimed at destabilizing the constitutional order.
Prosecutors emphasized that the defendant was involved in organizing an armed criminal group that threatened the country's democratic institutions. The investigation covers multiple pieces of evidence of organized actions aimed at undermining the electoral process and the legitimacy of the newly elected government.
Experts define this case as a key moment for strengthening democratic processes in Brazil. The indictment includes not only Bolsonaro but also seven of his accomplices who were part of the attempt to prevent a peaceful transfer of power.
According to the prosecution, the accused committed a series of crimes, including conspiracy, incitement to violence, and deliberately causing damage to public institutions. They attempted to undermine the election result through organized protests and disinformation campaigns.
The trial is expected to be extremely indicative of the future of the political system in Brazil and will set important precedents regarding the accountability of high-ranking political leaders.
If found guilty, Bolsonaro risks spending a significant part of the remainder of his life behind bars, which would represent an unprecedented punishment for a former president in the country's democratic history.
The case continues to provoke serious public interest and political debates, revealing the deep divisions in Brazilian society after the extremely tense presidential elections.