Brazil's prosecutor general formally charges Bolsonaro with attempting a coup

MEXICO CITY

Brazil’s prosecutor-general formally charged former President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday with attempting a coup to stay in office after his election defeat in 2022 that involved a plot to kill his successor and current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet filed a formal complaint with Brazil's Federal Supreme Court (STF) against Bolsonaro and 33 other people for participating in a plan to remain in power by encouraging and executing acts against the government and the "democratic rule of law."

Gonet accused Bolsonaro of knowing about and approving a plot to poison Lula while he was president. The plan also called for shooting dead Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a foe of Bolsonaro.

Top officials from Bolsonaro’s government including Augusto Heleno, Anderson Torres and Bolsonaro’s former advisor Mauro Cid were also accused.

Besides being accused of participating in the coup, the 34 defendants are accused of participating in an armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, damage qualified by violence and serious threat against the state’s assets.

Bolsonaro and his co-conspirators plotted to overturn the 2022 general election and prevent Lula from taking office.

According to the prosecution, since 2021, the Bolsonaro administration had attempted to subvert the election by systematically attacking the country's electronic voting system and accusing Lula of committing electoral fraud.

The accusation details that state security agencies were deployed to prevent voters from voting for Lula, resulting in violence and harassment of voters.

Following the polls, in which Lula emerged victorious, the alleged criminal organization led by Bolsonaro attempted to subvert the results by claiming that the election was rigged.

Political violence climaxed in attacks on government buildings on Jan. 8, 2023 by Bolsonaro supporters.

The Supreme Court will analyze the charges and, if accepted, Bolsonaro will stand trial.