Buenos Aires [Argentina], March 27: Brazil's Supreme Court on Wednesday authorized the indictment of former president Jair Bolsonaro over an alleged plot to overturn the country's 2022 election results, clearing the way for a trial at the top court.
All five justices of the court's First Chamber ruled in favour of the charges levelled by Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet against Bolsonaro and seven alleged co-conspirators.
Bolsonaro, who denies the accusations, faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors allege that the right-wing leader conspired with allies to stage a coup and remain in power after his defeat by current leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
On January 8, 2023, Bolsonaro supporters who refused to accept Lula's victory stormed Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace in Brasília, causing extensive damage.
"The criminal organization took all necessary steps to overthrow the legitimately elected government," Justice Alexandre de Moraes said.
Investigators say the coup attempt failed only because the military leadership refused to back it.
Source: Qatar Tribune
