Brazilian federal police have released an 884-page report implicating former President Jair Bolsonaro in an alleged criminal organization aimed at overturning the 2022 presidential election won by current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The report accuses Bolsonaro of planning and being aware of actions to launch a coup and eliminate democratic rule. The report has been sent to the top prosecutor, who has yet to decide on charges.
The accusations against Bolsonaro and 36 others include planning to retain power even after an electoral defeat. Bolsonaro, who led Brazil from 2019 to 2022, has denied trying to stay in office after his narrow electoral loss in October 2022. His baseless claims about election accuracy led to a ban from holding office until 2030 by Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court.
Tensions escalated during the election with Bolsonaro refusing to concede defeat and his supporters causing unrest. In January 2023, his supporters broke into government buildings in Brasilia in an attempt to spark a military intervention removing Lula from power. Leaked audio recordings suggest military involvement in conspiring to keep Bolsonaro in power.
Bolsonaro, who denies the accusations, called them a result of “creativity” and stated his intention to fight them through his lawyers. The report and ongoing investigations raise concerns about Brazil’s democratic process and the implications of alleged attempts to undermine it.
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