Brazilian police complete report on 'coup attempt' investigation

The police report prepared as part of the 'coup attempt' investigation into Brazil's right-wing former President Jair Bolsonaro has been sent to the Brazilian Supreme Court. The 884-page report states that Bolsonaro planned a military coup, noting: "The evidence gathered throughout the investigation clearly shows that Jair Bolsonaro planned, took action for, and was directly aware of a coup attempt that did not materialize due to reasons beyond his control, as well as organized criminal acts aimed at dismantling the democratic rule of law."

"HE HELD A MEETING WITH COMMANDERS"

The report emphasizes that Bolsonaro 'prepared the coup plan of his own volition' and 'actively participated' in it. It states that Bolsonaro, who claimed the country's electronic voting system was susceptible to fraud, held a meeting with high-ranking military commanders in 2022 and presented a draft decree to the soldiers. It was stated that the draft decree in question envisioned 'launching an investigation into suspicions of fraud and crimes related to the 2022 election' and 'suspending the powers of the electoral courts.'

"DISAGREEMENTS OCCURRED"

The report notes that the navy commander was prepared to comply with the draft decree, but the commanders of the army and air force opposed any plan that would prevent the inauguration of President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. It was stated that the plan could not be implemented due to these disagreements.

ACCUSED OF PLANNING A COUP ATTEMPT

In the 2022 presidential election in Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva received 50.9 percent of the vote, while Jair Bolsonaro received 49.1 percent. Bolsonaro supporters, who staged highway blockades for days alleging fraud in the elections, had called on the armed forces to intervene against Lula taking office. One week after Lula took office, on January 8, 2023, Bolsonaro supporters breached police barriers and entered the national congress building. Bolsonaro and 36 others accused of inciting the events were charged with planning a coup attempt.

News Source: İHA