Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro is expected to testify before federal police as part of an investigation into an alleged coup after the last presidential election. The appointment is scheduled for this Thursday afternoon (local time) at the Federal Police headquarters in the capital Brasilia, as stated in a document from the Supreme Court judge and several media outlets unanimously reported it.
The right-wing Bolsonaro was defeated by the left-wing politician Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the second election for the presidency in October 2022. On January 8, 2023, supporters of the ex-military who did not want to recognize Lula’s election victory stormed Congress, the seat of government and the Supreme Court in Brasilia and caused significant damage.
Two weeks ago, police undertook a large-scale operation involving the execution of search warrants and arrest warrants in several states, as well as preventive measures such as the seizure of passports. It was said that the investigations targeted a criminal organization seeking a coup and the abolition of the democratic constitutional state.
In addition to Bolsonaro, who ruled as Brazil’s president from 2019 to the end of 2022, the targets of the operation included other former top officials and political allies. According to the news portal “G1”, the former ministers of Defense and Justice, as well as advisors and military personnel during Bolsonaro’s term, were also summoned, all of whom had to testify at the same time.
Bolsonaro’s defense had requested access to the investigation files. According to the “G1” portal, Judge Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Court (STF) approved access to the operation’s search warrants. However, Moraes rejected the requested access to digital media such as telephones or computers, which the ex-president’s lawyers demanded to “guarantee equality of arms in the investigation process”. However, according to this media report, Bolsonaro is not expected to say anything when questioned by police.
Among the evidence on which the investigation is based is the recording of a July 2022 meeting with Bolsonaro, ministers and military officials. The exchange of conversations “clearly shows the ordering of the coup dynamics from the top of the government,” Judge Moraes said, according to “CNN Brasil.”
Bolsonaro has rejected the accusations and called on his supporters to hold a major demonstration in the city of São Paulo this Sunday to “defend” themselves. It must be a “peaceful event” – “in defense of our rule of law”. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
