Brazilian leader Lula speaks out: 'They tried to stage a coup'

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in a speech in the capital Brasilia, addressed coup plots aimed at removing former President Jair Bolsonaro's government from power.

Targeting Bolsonaro without naming him, Lula da Silva remarked, "They tried to stage a coup to prevent us from assuming the presidency."

Lula da Silva said he believes the failed coup attempt aimed at overthrowing his government actually took place and that this cannot be denied by anyone.

Emphasizing the importance of democracy, Lula da Silva said, "I think it is important to build a civilized society where everyone has rights, but where everyone also respects the rights of others."

On the other hand, speaking to a website in his country, Bolsonaro stated that the measures considered for implementation after the elections won by Lula da Silva were discussed within a constitutional framework.

Arguing that the plans regarding the coup attempt were only discussed but not implemented, Bolsonaro said, "The draft coup was based on the Constitution. Is it a crime to discuss an article in the Constitution? Was any of these possible proposals put into action?"

According to reports in the national press, a draft containing coup plans against the Lula da Silva government was found by police at the home of a former minister.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Brazilian Supreme Court made the Federal Police's report on the coup plot available to the public on November 27.

The report stated that evidence collected throughout the investigation showed that former President Bolsonaro was involved in a coup plot to remove President Lula da Silva's government from power.

The report, which stated that Bolsonaro had "active participation" in the coup plot in question, noted that the coup could not be carried out due to the resistance of the military.

On November 19, police arrested 4 soldiers and 1 police officer on allegations that they planned to assassinate President Lula da Silva and overthrow the government.

On November 21, the Brazilian Federal Police filed a criminal complaint against 37 people, including Bolsonaro, on allegations of attempting a coup against the Lula da Silva government.

The police report, which dates back to 2022, stated that it included Bolsonaro as well as numerous high-level officials, including some generals, former ministers, and former government advisors.

EVENTS IN BRAZIL

In the second round of the presidential elections held in Brazil on October 30, 2022, left-wing President Lula da Silva unseated far-right former President Bolsonaro. Lula da Silva, who won the elections, took office after being sworn in at parliament on January 1, 2023.

Following the announcement of the election results, Bolsonaro supporters first held highway blockade protests that lasted for days in the country, and on January 8, 2023, they breached police barriers and stormed the National Congress building, chanting slogans demanding military intervention.

Police were also unable to prevent protesters from forcibly entering the Presidential Palace and the Supreme Court building.