Allegations Claim Brazil's Former President Bolsonaro Proposed Coup to Military Leaders

Former President Jair Bolsonaro has been accused of presenting a plan to top Brazilian military leaders to stage a coup after he lost the 2022 election, according to newly released court documents.

The testimonies from former army commander Marco Antonio Freire Gomes and former air force commander Carlos de Almeida Baptista Jr. were released by the country's Supreme Court to the Brazilian Federal Police on Friday.

Bolsonaro reportedly shared his plan at a meeting on December 7, 2022, at the presidential palace in Brasilia.

According to testimonies from Gomes and Baptista Jr., they both stated that they declined to follow Bolsonaro's alleged plan to remain in power and even warned of the possibility of arresting him, as indicated in documents.

Bolsonaro handed over his passport to authorities in February for a police probe on an alleged coup attempt. Despite the accusations, the ex-president maintains his innocence.

In a recent event, he gathered a crowd of his followers in São Paulo, Brazil's biggest city, to show support for the rule of law and democracy.

Bolsonaro was banned from running for political office until 2030 by the country’s highest electoral court for abusing his power and misusing public media during the 2022 election campaign. Last year,

After losing the election by a small margin to leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Bolsonaro's supporters rioted and broke into government buildings in Brasilia on January 8, 2023.

Bolsonaro has denied any involvement in the violent attacks that occurred in the capital. Last month, he mentioned on CNN Brasil that he believes the legislature should provide amnesty for the individuals who were involved in the January 8 riot in Brasília, particularly those who are underprivileged.

Editor's P/S:

The allegations against former President