BBCcom_Content_Index_for_June_18_2017.txt
Jair_Bolsonaros_lawyers_to_present_his_defence_at_coup_trial.txt
Charges against Brazil's Bolsonaro are free blackjackpolitical, says lawyer4 September 2025ShareSaveIone WellsSouth America correspondent in Brasília andVanessa BuschschlüterBBC NewsShareSaveReutersSupporters of the former president held prayer vigilsA lawyer for Brazil's former president, Jair Bolsonaro, has told the Supreme Court that his client should be acquitted, arguing that the charges against him are "political".The lawyer was responding to allegations that Bolsonaro had plotted a coup and tried to install a "veritable dictatorship" after losing to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in the 2022 presidential election.Bolsonaro has denied the allegations and on Wednesday his lawyer insisted there was "not a "single piece of evidence" that linked him to the alleged coup plot. The trial against Bolsonaro and seven co-defendants at Brazil's Supreme Court is its final phase and a verdict is expected next week. What you need to know about Bolsonaro's coup plot trialBolsonaro did not attend the proceedings in person. On Wednesday, one of his lawyers said that the ex-president would not be attending any of the final court sessions of the trial because of health issues. The 70-year-old former leader was stabbed on the campaign trail in 2018 and has experienced recurrent health problems ever since.The five Supreme Court justice tasked with the trial are expected to announce their verdicts by 12 September. If found guilty, Bolsonaro could be sentenced to more than 40 years in prison.The former president and his seven alleged co-conspirators have been charged with leading an armed criminal organisation, attempting the violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, an attempted coup, damage to federal property, and the deterioration of listed heritage - charges which they deny. The allegations date back to before Bolsonaro's supporters stormed government buildings on 8 January 2023.Following an extensive investigation, police alleged that Bolsonaro and his seven co-defendants had been planning acts to abolish the democratic rule of law and keep him in power as early as 2019.Police say he had "full knowledge" of a plan to assassinate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva - who at the time was the president-elect - along with Lula's running mate and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.One of the eight men on trial, Bolsonaro's former top aide Mauro Cid, has signed a plea deal, agreeing to provide evidence in exchange for a lighter sentence.According to prosecutors, some of the most damaging evidence they have against Bolsonaro comes from information provided by Cid.On Wednesday, Bolsonaro's lawyer accused Cid of lying and dismissed the evidence he had given.Once all the defendants' lawyers have taken their turns to speak, the justices will cast their votes one by one. This is likely to happen in one of the sessions scheduled for next week.A majority of three out of the five votes is needed to find a defendant guilty.Each judge can then recommend a sentence for those found guilty.Bolsonaro and his co-defendants can appeal to the full Supreme Court if found guilty.Bolsonaro planned to flee to Argentina, Brazil police sayTrial of Brazil's ex-President Bolsonaro enters final phaseJair BolsonaroBrazil
