Brazil's Bolsonaro takes a position in the Supreme Court through accused coup plan
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro testified before the Supreme Court for the first time on Tuesday, allegedly a conspiracy to rule and overturn the 2022 election results.
Bolsonaro and seven close allies were questioned by a team of top judges as part of the trial as they accused them of designing a multi-step plan despite defeating the current president, Luiz Inácio Lulalula da Silva.
The defendant held a position trial on five charges: attempting to carry out a coup, participating in armed criminal organizations, attempting to abolish democratic rule of law, aggravate damage and deteriorating listed heritage.
The verdict for the coup was 12 years. When used in conjunction with other charges, the defendant could be sentenced to decades in prison.
Bolsonrow repeatedly denied the allegations and said he was the target of political persecution.
Eight defendants were charged with forming the core group of the program. The Justice is also questioning Bolsonro's former campaign partner and Defense Secretary Walter Braga Netto, former ministers Anderson Torres and Augusto Heleno and former Ed de Camp Moro CID, among others.
The judge will hear from the other 26 defendants later. The court had heard from dozens of witnesses at a hearing that began in mid-May.
