Bolsonaro Rejects Coup Involvement During Trial Testimony

In a recent court appearance, Bolsonaro described coup allegations as unfounded, asserting no intentions of undermining Brazil's democracy.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has categorically denied any involvement in an alleged coup aimed at toppling the current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. During his testimony in court, Bolsonaro, who held office from 2019 to 2022, referred to the idea of a coup as an "abominable thing" and insisted, "there was never even a possibility of a coup in my government." He is currently on trial alongside seven associates, facing serious charges related to the storming of government buildings by his supporters on January 8, 2023, shortly after Lula’s inauguration.

The former president faces the prospect of decades in prison if found guilty. In his court appearance, he sharply rejected the coup plotting charges, stating, “the charge does not hold, your Excellency.” He emphasized that neither he nor military leaders entertained thoughts of a coup, affirming, "Brazil couldn't go through an experience like that.” Bolsonaro had previously lost the presidential election to Lula in 2022 amid controversy.

Following Lula's electoral victory, Bolsonaro propagated claims of faulty electronic voting machines leading up to the election. Prosecutors allege these assertions of voter fraud were strategically positioned as a rationale to contest a potential loss in the 2022 election. In response, Bolsonaro acknowledged he was not alone in expressing skepticism about electronic voting, asserting that he acted within constitutional bounds. He stated, “Many times I rebelled, I swear. But, in my opinion, I did what had to be done.”

Currently involved in a legal process that began in May, Bolsonaro is one of eight defendants facing multiple charges, such as attempted coup, belonging to an armed criminal organization, and damaging cultural property. Most defendants have refuted the charges against them to date.

As a former army captain and a supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, Bolsonaro's controversial presidency lasted from January 2019 until December 2022. After narrowly losing the election, he consistently refrained from openly acknowledging his defeat. His loyal supporters staged prolonged protests outside military bases to rally for intervention against Lula's presidential inauguration on January 1, 2023. A week later, Bolsonaro's followers stormed buildings in Brasilia, with federal authorities labeling it an attempted coup while Bolsonaro was in the United States at the time, which he claims he had no association with.

Despite already being barred from seeking public office until 2030 due to unfounded fraud claims about Brazil's voting system, Bolsonaro intends to challenge this decision, with aspirations for a second presidential term in 2026.