Bolsonaro's lawyers reject allegations of a coup

Lawyers for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro denied allegations of a coup attempt against him during closing arguments in his Supreme Court trial over his alleged attempt to remain in power after losing the 2022 election to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The lawyers argued that no solid evidence was presented to prove that Bolsonaro acted against Brazil's democratic institutions or incited others to do so. They further say that the fact that he allowed the presidential transition to proceed contradicts the allegation that he conspired to thwart it. "This is evidence that eliminates the most essential of the accusatory premises," Bolsonaro's representatives stated, as quoted by Euronews.

The former president and the other defendants were scheduled to present their closing arguments by Wednesday. This is the final procedural step before the trial concludes, scheduled for the end of the year.

A five-judge Supreme Court panel will now decide whether Bolsonaro and his allies are guilty. If convicted of attempted coup d'état, Bolsonaro could face up to 12 years in prison. Combined with other charges, this means the former president could spend several decades behind bars.

The charges refer to the invasion of the headquarters of the three branches of government in Brasília on January 8, 2023, by Bolsonaro supporters, and his alleged incitement to revolt, after he lost the elections in which he was running again against Lula da Silva.

Even if convicted, Bolsonaro can appeal the decision to the Supreme Federal Court. Brazil's Superior Electoral Court has already banned the far-right leader from running for office until 2030, saying he abused his authority by undermining confidence in the country's electoral system.

Bolsonaro has been under house arrest since August 5th. Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the case, said Bolsonaro violated precautionary measures by disseminating content through his three lawmaker sons. Last week, Alexandre de Moraes eased the restrictions, allowing family visits.

The case has affected Brazil at a time when it is embroiled in a trade dispute with the United States. Bolsonaro has received support from US President Donald Trump, who called the accusation a "witch hunt" and linked his decision to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports to Bolsonaro's legal troubles.

Attorney General Paulo Gonet presented his closing arguments in July, citing extensive evidence of a conspiracy against Brazil's democratic institutions. Among them were handwritten notes, digital files, message exchanges, and spreadsheets allegedly detailing the conspiracy.