Charges Filed Against Bolsonaro for Alleged Coup Plot Involving Poisoning

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil’s prosecutor-general has charged former President Jair Bolsonaro with attempting to orchestrate a coup to stay in power following his 2022 election defeat. The indictment unveiled on Tuesday alleges that Bolsonaro and 33 associates planned to poison his successor, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and kill a Supreme Court judge.

Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet detailed the accusations in a comprehensive 272-page indictment, describing an organized effort to undermine Brazil’s democratic institutions in a scheme nicknamed ‘Green and Yellow Dagger.’ The prosecutor stated that the conspirators sought to attack the constitutional order and deny the results of the electoral process.

“The plan was conceived and presented to the president, who agreed to it,” Gonet wrote. According to the indictment, Bolsonaro was directly involved in discussions to carry out this criminal organization’s activities, including a proposed murder of Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a vocal critic of Bolsonaro’s administration.

A previous investigation by Brazil’s Federal Police corroborated these allegations, identifying a systematic campaign to discredit Brazil’s electoral system. The investigation concluded with a report claiming that following the election, Bolsonaro’s supporters ignited riots in the capital, Brasília, on January 8, 2023, protesting Lula’s installation.

Bolsonaro, who denies the charges, told reporters, “I have no concerns about the accusations, zero,” further claiming he had never seen the supposed “coup decree” mentioned in the charges.

His defense team reacted with outrage, asserting that the former president had never endorsed any activities aimed at dismantling the nation’s democratic framework. “This fanciful narrative will not withstand judicial scrutiny,” they stated.

Bolsonaro’s son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, dismissed the indictment on social media as baseless and accused the Prosecutor-General’s Office of catering to Lula’s interests.

The Supreme Court must now decide whether to accept the charges, which are complex and serious. If accepted, Bolsonaro could face trial and potentially lengthy prison sentences, with penalties for coup-related charges reaching up to 20 years.

Legal analysts expect a trial could unfold later this year, despite Bolsonaro’s claims of being victimized by political persecution. Carlos Melo, a political science professor, suggested that Bolsonaro may use his legal challenges as a platform ahead of the 2026 elections, where he is projected to remain a formidable force despite current legal barriers.

“There’s a good chance the Supreme Court will accept the charges,” said constitutional lawyer Vera Chemim. “However, for a conviction, robust evidence will be necessary.”

The situation in Brazil remains highly polarized, with supporters and opponents of Bolsonaro fiercely divided over the legitimacy of the accusations against him. The unfolding legal drama stands to have significant implications for Brazil’s political landscape as it approaches the next electoral cycle.