Jair Bolsonaro, who governed Brazil from 2019 to 2022, firmly denied any connection to an alleged plot aimed at overthrowing current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during his court appearance.
Bolsonaro Refutes Allegations of Coup Involvement in Court
Bolsonaro Refutes Allegations of Coup Involvement in Court
Former Brazilian president claims no coup was ever contemplated during his presidency as he stands trial alongside co-defendants.
In his first court testimony regarding coup-related accusations, Bolsonaro characterized coup attempts as "abominable," asserting that there was never any real chance of such actions during his presidency. The 70-year-old, accompanied by seven co-defendants, is facing significant charges for the instigation of a violent breach of government buildings in Brasilia on January 8, 2023, shortly after Lula's inauguration.
During the court session, Bolsonaro was questioned by Judge Alexandre de Moraes about the allegations. He countered that claims of conspiracy “do not hold.” Furthermore, he declared that there was never any dialogue about a coup, emphasizing, "A coup is an abominable thing." Following his narrow defeat in the 2022 elections, Bolsonaro had made waves with ongoing assertions that electronic voting machines were faulty, suggesting a framework to challenge the election results.
The prosecution claims these assertions of fraud began in 2021, preparing the ground for questioning a potential loss in last year’s elections. Bolsonaro defended his position in court, mentioning that he was not the only one with concerns about the electronic voting system, and claimed his actions were constitutional.
Since the trial began in May, he has become the sixth defendant to testify, as the group faces five serious charges related to conspiracy and armed criminal organization, among others. Most have denied the allegations, including Bolsonaro, who is noted for being an army captain and a Trump admirer.
Following Lula's electoral victory, supporters of Bolsonaro, who refused to publicly acknowledge his defeat, remained camped outside military facilities in hopes of intervention. The storming of government buildings on January 8 saw Bolsonaro in the United States, and he has continuously refuted connections to the rioters.
Having been barred from political candidacy until 2030 due to his repeated claims of electoral fraud, Bolsonaro is determined to contest this ban in hopes of a comeback for the presidential run in 2026.
