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Brazil's Federal Police Indict Bolsonaro and 36 Others in Coup Plot to Oust Lula After 2022 Election

Nov 21, 2024, 07:08 PM

On Thursday, November 21, 2024, Brazil's federal police concluded their investigation and formally accused former President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 others, totaling 37 individuals, of plotting a coup to prevent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office after the 2022 election. The 884-page police report alleges that Bolsonaro and his associates conspired to abolish the democratic rule of law, attempted a coup d'état, and organized a criminal group. The accused include former ministers and high-ranking military officials, with 25 military personnel among them, such as generals Braga Netto and Augusto Heleno, and the president of Bolsonaro's Liberal Party, Valdemar Costa Neto. The investigation, part of Operation Contragolpe, also claims that Bolsonaro had full knowledge of plans to assassinate President Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Bolsonaro has criticized Justice de Moraes, who is overseeing the case. The police have submitted their findings to the Supreme Federal Court, recommending criminal charges against all involved.