Brazil's former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has been implicated in a coup plot to retain power following his defeat in the 2022 election, as per a Federal Police report unveiled on Tuesday. The report, comprising nearly 900 pages, was sent to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal last Thursday.
The Federal Police formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 others of attempting a coup, stating that the evidence gathered during the investigation clearly indicates Bolsonaro's direct involvement in planning and executing the actions of the criminal organization seeking to overthrow the democratic rule of law.
According to the report, Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in the coup plot. However, the coup was thwarted due to resistance from then-army commander Marco Antônio Freire Gomes and the majority of the army's high command.
Bolsonaro has consistently denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of the plot to maintain his presidency or remove his leftist rival and successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The Supreme Court has forwarded the report to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet, who will determine whether to press formal charges against Bolsonaro and initiate a trial or dismiss the investigation.
