Explainer: Why is Brazil’s Bolsonaro on trial – and what comes next?
The case has been called “historic” as it marks the first time a former head of state is being tried for an attempted coup
Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro is facing trial on charges of plotting to stay in power after his 2022 election defeat.
The case has been called "historic" as it marks the first time a former head of state is being tried for an attempted coup. Here's what you need to know:
What is Bolsonaro accused of?
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Bolsonaro, 70, is charged with five crimes, including attempting to stage a coup, forming an armed criminal organisation, and attempting the violent abolition of Brazil's democratic order. Prosecutors say he and his allies encouraged the January 8, 2023 riot in Brasilia, when his supporters ransacked Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace, seeking to force military intervention, says Al Jazeera.
Investigators also allege Bolsonaro approved a plan to assassinate President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva before his swearing-in. Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing. "I never sought to overthrow democracy," he said, though he acknowledged attending meetings to explore ways of reversing his election loss.
Who else is on trial?
Seven close allies are being tried alongside him, including his 2022 running mate and then-defence minister Walter Braga Netto, and former defence minister Paulo Sergio Nogueira.
What is happening in court?
A Supreme Court panel of five justices is hearing the case in sessions running from September 2–12. Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a frequent Bolsonaro critic, is leading the proceedings. "This case goes to the heart of Brazil's democratic resilience," Moraes said in opening remarks.
Bolsonaro's lawyers argue the case is politically motivated. They are expected to file procedural motions and raise fresh evidence to delay proceedings. "This is nothing more than persecution to stop him from returning in 2026," one defence lawyer said.
Could Bolsonaro be convicted this week?
In theory, yes. If the justices move straight to a vote after closing arguments, Bolsonaro could be found guilty as early as Tuesday. In practice, such trials are often delayed, says Al Jazeera.
A conviction for the coup plot alone could carry up to 12 years in prison, although Brazil's maximum sentence is 40 years. Bolsonaro is already barred from running for office until 2030 by the electoral court.
Will Bolsonaro attend?
The former president is under house arrest in Brasilia, monitored by an ankle bracelet, and has been banned from social media and foreign contacts. His lawyers say it is unclear if he will appear in person.
Why is this trial significant?
Brazil endured two decades of military dictatorship until 1985. Unlike other Latin American countries, it never prosecuted those responsible for rights abuses due to a 1979 Amnesty Law. Analysts say Bolsonaro's case is a watershed moment.
"This is the first time Brazil is confronting the question of accountability for an attempted coup in the democratic era," said political scientist Mauricio Santoro.
Bolsonaro has often expressed nostalgia for military rule, calling it a "golden era" for Brazil.
How has Trump weighed in?
Bolsonaro's ally, US President Donald Trump, has denounced the trial as a "witch hunt." In August, he slapped a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, citing what he called "an international disgrace" in Bolsonaro's treatment.
Trump, who also faced charges over his own attempts to overturn the 2020 US election, drew parallels between the two cases. "It happened to me, times 10," he wrote earlier this year.
Lula has said Brazil will not immediately retaliate with tariffs. "We prefer dialogue over confrontation," he said.
What's next?
The trial could last weeks or even months, depending on defence tactics. A conviction would likely spark unrest among Bolsonaro's loyal base, while acquittal could embolden the former president's push for a political comeback.
