Clash Erupts Outside Supreme Court During Bolsonaro Coup Trial
BRASÍLIA – A physical altercation broke out between opposing demonstrators in front of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) today as the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro and seven allies commenced. The incident occurred amidst heightened tensions surrounding accusations of a failed coup attempt and crimes against democracy linked to the January 8, 2023, attacks on government buildings.
Protesters from the Homeless Rural Workers Movement (MTST) displayed a caricature of Bolsonaro wearing an electronic anklet, while supporters of the former president, clad in green and yellow, rallied in favor of his acquittal. The confrontation escalated when individuals from both sides exchanged taunts, leading to a scuffle where a protest sign reading “Bolsonaro in jail” was torn. Military Police intervened to restore order.The trial centers on allegations that Bolsonaro and his associates actively worked to discredit the electoral system, incite attacks on democratic institutions, and plan measures to prevent the inauguration of current President Luiz inácio Lula da Silva. Alongside Bolsonaro, those facing charges include former ministers Walter Braga Netto, Augusto Heleno, and Paulo Sérgio Nogueira, and also Anderson Torres, Federal Deputy Alexandre Ramagem, former Navy Commander Almir Garnier, and Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid. The Attorney General’s Office has identified them as a “crucial” core group in the alleged coup attempt. The proceedings began at 9 a.m. local time and will determine the fate of the accused and possibly reshape Brazil‘s political landscape.
