Bolsonaro Arrested in Brazil Over Alleged Coup Plot
brasília, brazil – Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested on accusations of orchestrating a plot to subvert the country’s democratic institutions following his 2022 election defeat. The arrest, carried out saturday, comes after all appeals of his conviction were tired, according to local media reports. bolsonaro, who served as president from 2019 to 2022, remains a important political figure in Brazil.
The Supreme Court convicted Bolsonaro and several allies of attempting to overthrow the government. Prosecutors allege the plot included plans to kill current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
Justice de Moraes, in his ruling, stated that a video shared by Bolsonaro’s son, Flávio Bolsonaro, “stimulates the disrespect to the constitutional text, to the judicial decision and to (democratic) institutions, showing there’s no limits for the criminal organisation in it’s attempt to create chaos and conflict in this country, in a total disrespect to democracy.”
Bolsonaro was also found guilty of leading an armed criminal organisation and attempting the violent abolition of the democratic rule of law. He maintains his innocence.
Few protesters were present outside federal police headquarters in Brasília as of Saturday morning,though organizers indicated thay would relocate to the jail where Bolsonaro is being held. Supporters and detractors of the former president are reacting to the arrest, with celebrations planned in major Brazilian cities and online.
[Image of journalists outside the Federal Police headquarters where Jair bolsonaro is under arrest.(AP: Eraldo Peres)]
Source: AP