BRAZIL, BALZIL (AP) – Former Brazilian President Jea Bolsonaro is a step away from being convicted of attempting a coup after two Supreme Court judges voted on Tuesday for guilty of committing a crime to unlawfully seize power.
Three members of the five judge panel attempting the case of Bolsonaro must support the conviction in a process that could last several days. The two judges voted for convictions before proceedings were postponed until Wednesday. You will have to cast three more votes.
Judge Alexandre de Moleswho oversees the case and is considered an enemy by Bolsonaro supporters, said the far-right politician who ruled Brazil between 2019 and 2022 was a leader in coup plots and criminal organizations, and voted in favor of conviction.
“We can’t forget the smallest things that are made by little Brazil. We’ve almost returned to a dictatorship that lasted 20 years,” De Moraes said in a national reference. Military rule from 1964 to 1985. “It was for a criminal organization built by political groups that didn’t know how to lose elections.”
Judge Flávio Dino also voted to convict Bolsonaro. The proceedings were then postponed, with daily court sessions scheduled until Friday.
As De Moraes said, Dino and another justice, Cármen Lúcia nodded. However, Judge Louis Fuchs told de Moraise that he plans to oppose some of his rulings.
De Moraes spoke for about five hours, listing a series of “executive acts” that he said raised unfounded questions about the country’s election voting system, drafted an order to suspend the results of the election that Bolsonaro lost, and constituted an attempted coup by guilty, committed, committed crimes, committed crimes, and committed crimes. January 8, 2023, De Moraes said the aim is to force military takeovers.
De Moraes rejected Bolsonaro’s claim. When he discussed the “possibility” of maintaining power, he did so within the law.
“You should call it whatever you want. This was a draft coup order,” De Moores said. “A series of enforcement acts have been carried out aimed at breaking the democratic rule of law and perpetuating power through a coup.”
Bolsonaro did not attend court and his lawyer refused to speak to the press on Tuesday. Judicial police officers carried offensive weapons to the court and nearby lobby, in signs of the famous nature of the case.
The former president faces five suspicious counts Trying a coup After his narrow loss to the current president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva.
Bolsonaro has always denied fraud and has repeatedly called the trial a politically motivated attack.
Trump’s interest in the outcome of the trial
Prosecutors pointed to evidence that Bolsonaro would gather top cabinets and military officials to discuss issuing an emergency order aimed at suspending the results of the October 2022 elections to investigate alleged voting fraud.
but last week Defence counsel Celso Vilardi vehemently pointed out that no order was issued, and instead Bolsonaro ordered a transition of power to Lula. The defense also notes that the January 8th riot only happened after Lula had already taken office.
“The plan is not an execution. No matter how detailed the plan is, it is a violent act that actually completes a crime,” Vilardi told justice in a television lawsuit. “Bolsonaro ordered a transition.”
Bolsonaro “did not act against the democratic rule of law,” he added.
When he voted in favor of the conviction, des Moreise opposed.
“The mere attempt will be brought to justice by the Supreme Court itself, especially since no one is responsible for completing the crime.
Bolsonaro calls himself a victim of “witch hunt,” and uses the same phrase as President Donald Trump in defending his right-wing allies. I have Trump 50% tariffs have been linked directly It is expected to closely monitor the outcome of the trial for Brazilian goods against the judicial situation of his allies.
on sunday, Tens of thousands of Bolsonaro supporters took him to the street. In Sao Paulo, his wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, spoke in a speech that he loves the country.
Bolsonaro is being charged with five counts attempting to do two counts, including performances of a coup, involvement in armed criminal organizations, violent abolition of the democratic rule of law and destruction of national property.
Convicted on the charges of a coup plot alone will result in a maximum of 12 years in prison.
If one of the justices demands a longer review, the ruling could be delayed by up to 90 days, but court experts say it’s unlikely.
I’m still under house arrest
In the event of a conviction, each justice can recommend a sentence. If the recommendations are different, the single justice chosen between the panels determines the average prison and the average fine.
Bolsonaro’s seven other close allies are being tested alongside the former president. Walter Braga Netthis former running mate and defense minister, and another former defense minister, Paulo Sergio Nogira.
It is considered a flight risk, Bolsonaro is Wear an ankle monitor And he remains under house arrest. He didn’t appear in court last week due to health, Viraldi told journalists.
The trial marks a historic moment in Brazil. For the first time, the former president, accused of plotting against the control of high-ranking military officers and Democrats, is on trial.
“It’s pretty unpredictable”
Despite pressure from the White House, Brazil’s Supreme Court is on track to bring the trial to life.
The observers said US sanctions against Brazilian authorities would be announced after the trial, further straining their vulnerable diplomatic ties.
Government officials or other Supreme Court justice may be approved; It was already like De Moraes In late July, Oliver Stuenkel, professor of international relations at the think tank and university Getulio Vargas Foundation.
The response “may include broader visa restrictions for government officials and more tariffs,” Stuenkel said. “It’s very unpredictable.”
On Tuesday, the US embassy in Brazil reposted a day-old message from the US State Department, declaring that it would “continue to take appropriate action” with individuals such as des Moraise, who say the Trump administration has abused their authority.
On Saturday night, Lula said that Brazil had indirectly swiped the Trump administration, saying that it was “not a colony of who.” ahead of Sunday’s Independence Day celebration.
___
Hughes reported from Rio de Janeiro.
___
Follow the Associated Press in Latin America and the Caribbean https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
