Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro will face the final stage of his coup trial on Tuesday, in what could become one of the most consequential legal battles in the country’s history.
He is accused of orchestrating a plot to stay in power after losing the 2022 election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a plan that culminated in the storming of government buildings in Brasília on 8 January 2023.
A panel of five Supreme Court judges will oversee the proceedings, with a verdict expected by 12 September.
Bolsonaro, who denies wrongdoing, could face more than 40 years in prison if convicted on charges including attempting a coup, leading a criminal organization, and conspiring to abolish democratic rule.
He is currently under house arrest, banned from travel, and monitored with an ankle tag.
Investigators allege Bolsonaro not only spread baseless claims of electoral fraud but also discussed coup plans with senior military officials.
Police say he had knowledge of a plan to assassinate Lula, his running mate, and Justice Alexandre de Moraes — the judge who now presides over part of the case.
While army and air force commanders rejected Bolsonaro’s proposal, former Navy chief Almir Garnier Santos allegedly expressed support.
The trial has drawn global attention, with U.S. President Donald Trump calling the charges a “witch-hunt” and citing them to justify tariffs against Brazil.
Bolsonaro’s defense argues that the case is politically motivated.
Bolsonaro has already been barred from seeking re-election in 2026 due to previous electoral misconduct.
His conviction could further cement his political downfall while reshaping Brazil’s struggle with democratic accountability.