Former top general detained in Brazil over alleged coup plot

BOGOTA

A former high-ranking general was detained on Saturday in Brazil for his alleged involvement in a coup plot against the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

According to national media reports, Walter Braga Netto, who served as a senior general during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, was taken into custody by federal police in Rio de Janeiro.

Netto, denying the allegations of participating in a coup plot against the Lula administration, stated through his lawyers: "I was in no way involved in any coup plans, let alone in planning an assassination."

The detention was ordered by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, with reports suggesting that additional arrests could follow in the coming days.

Known for his close ties to former President Bolsonaro, Netto has become the first four-star general in Brazil's history to be detained.

President Lula da Silva reacted to Netto's detention, saying: "We expect respect for democracy. In a country as resilient as Brazil, we can never accept that high-ranking military officials would plan an assassination against a president, vice president, or a judge presiding over the Federal Supreme Court."

On Nov. 27, the Brazilian federal police accused former President Bolsonaro of involvement in a coup plot against the Lula administration.

The Brazilian Supreme Court also released the police's report on the coup plot to the public.

The report stated that evidence gathered during the investigation pointed to Bolsonaro's involvement in plans to overthrow the Lula government.

Lula's victory sparks unrest

In the second round of Brazil’s presidential election on Oct. 30, 2022, leftist President Lula da Silva defeated far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Lula was sworn into office on Jan.1, 2023, during a ceremony in Parliament.

After the election results were announced, Bolsonaro supporters staged days-long highway blockades across the country.

On Jan. 8, 2023, they stormed the National Congress building, chanting for military intervention.

Protesters also breached police barricades and forcibly entered the Presidential Palace and the Supreme Court building, overwhelming law enforcement's efforts to stop them.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi in Istanbul