Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been charged by the country’s chief prosecutor with attempting a coup after losing the 2022 presidential election to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The 69-year-old faces five charges related to an alleged effort to prevent Lula from taking office after a fiercely contested election.

Among the allegations are claims that Bolsonaro planned to poison Lula and assassinate Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing, insisting he is a victim of political persecution.

Supreme Court to Consider Charges

The Brazilian Supreme Court will now review the charges. If approved, Bolsonaro and 33 others will face trial.

Following his election defeat, Bolsonaro was banned from running for office for eight years after making false claims that Brazil’s electronic voting system was vulnerable to fraud and hacking.

The highly contested election was won by Lula by a narrow margin. Bolsonaro never publicly conceded defeat and left Brazil for the United States just days before Lula’s inauguration.

The Aftermath: January 8 Riots and Coup Allegations

On January 8, 2023, Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed government buildings in the capital, Brasilia. The riots led to 1,500 arrests and widespread condemnation.

Three months ago, Brazil’s federal police released a report accusing Bolsonaro of leading efforts to stage a coup, including allegedly proposing the idea to military officials.

The latest charges describe a criminal organization led by Bolsonaro that sought to overturn democracy.

One of the charges is for being part of an “armed criminal organization”, allegedly led by Bolsonaro and his former vice-presidential candidate Walter Braga Netto.

Political Reactions and Future Impact

The case has deepened political divisions in Brazil. Government supporters argue Bolsonaro should be jailed, while his opposition insists he is innocent.

Legal experts predict that the Supreme Court will likely proceed with the trial later this year. The case could significantly impact Brazil’s political landscape, particularly ahead of the next presidential election.

Despite his political ban, Bolsonaro remains a powerful figure in Brazilian politics and may use the trial as a platform to rally his supporters.