PGR Denounces Jair Bolsonaro and 33 Others for Coup Attempt and Criminal Organization

The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGR) has formally denounced former president Jair Bolsonaro for crimes related to an attempted coup d’état following the 2022 elections. The accusation involves a total of 34 people, including key figures from his administration, such as former Defense Minister and vice-presidential candidate General Walter Braga Netto and former aide-de-camp Mauro Cid. According to the document signed by Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet, the accused participated in a plan to annul the election results and prevent the inauguration of President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The charges include leading a criminal organization, attempting to violently abolish the democratic rule of law, coup d’état, and damage to federal property.

If the Supreme Federal Court (STF) accepts the indictment, the accused will face criminal prosecution in court. The investigation is based on evidence collected by the Federal Police, including messages, documented meetings, and testimony from those involved. The PGR report indicates that Bolsonaro had shown signs of institutional rupture since 2021, with speeches that questioned the reliability of Brazil’s electoral system.

Beyond documentary evidence, the indictment states that the accused developed a plan to discredit democratic institutions by mobilizing military and civilian sectors to interfere with the electoral outcome.

Structure of the Organization Denounced by PGR

The indictment highlights that the coup attempt was structured into different operational groups, each playing a specific role in the strategy to keep Bolsonaro in power despite his electoral defeat.

• Disinformation and Electoral System Attacks Group: Spread false information about electronic voting machines to create public distrust and discredit the electoral process.
• Military Incitement Group: Pressured sectors of the Armed Forces to join the coup attempt, using attacks against commanders who resisted the conspiracy.
• Legal Group: Drafted documents and proposals to legally justify Bolsonaro’s continued presidency, including unconstitutional decrees and legal arguments.
• Operational Support Group: Organized demonstrations and rallies in front of military barracks, as well as logistics for keeping groups mobilized in Brasília.
• Parallel Intelligence Group: Collected information about authorities opposing the coup, including the president-elect, vice president, and Supreme Court ministers.
• Coercive Measures Group: Worked to neutralize opponents of the coup, including plans for arrests and even potential attacks on political adversaries.

Key Accused and Their Charges

Among the 34 individuals charged, several held strategic positions in Bolsonaro’s government. The PGR lists the specific accusations against each, reinforcing the claim that the effort was a coordinated plan to overthrow democracy.

• Jair Bolsonaro: Accused of leading the criminal organization and having knowledge of and approving the coup plan.
• Walter Braga Netto: Former Defense Minister and vice-presidential candidate, identified as a key player in military sector negotiations.
• Mauro Cid: Former aide-de-camp, named as one of the operators in the coup’s internal communications.
• Alexandre Ramagem: Former head of the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (Abin) and current federal deputy, accused of using agency resources to monitor opponents.
• Augusto Heleno: Former head of the Institutional Security Office, allegedly involved in pressuring military officials to support the plan.

Evidence Cited by PGR

The PGR report presents documentary and testimonial evidence supporting the charges, including intercepted messages and records of meetings. The central pieces of evidence include:

1. Confidential documents detailing coup blueprints and the organization of various operational groups.
2. WhatsApp messages and emails showing coordination among the accused to spread disinformation and organize coup-related actions.
3. Intelligence reports confirming unusual military movements and efforts to recruit high-ranking officers.
4. Testimonies from informants stating that direct orders were given to take coercive actions against political opponents.
5. Meeting records from the presidential palace and the homes of allies, where strategies to overturn the election were discussed.

History of Demonstrations and Military Mobilization Attempts

After the second round of elections, groups of Bolsonaro supporters gathered in front of military barracks across the country, demanding military intervention. The PGR states that these protests were encouraged and structured by the accused to create an environment conducive to a coup.

Federal Police reports indicate that between November and December 2022, there were attempts to persuade military sectors to take extraordinary measures, including the suggestion that a state of siege be declared under the pretense of alleged electoral fraud.

Breakdown of Potential Sentences for the Charges

If convicted by the STF, the accused could face severe prison sentences. The main charges and their corresponding penalties under the Penal Code include:

• Coup d’état: 4 to 12 years in prison.
• Violent Abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law: 4 to 8 years in prison.
• Criminal Organization: 3 to 8 years in prison.
• Damage to Federal Property: Up to 6 years in prison, plus fines and compensation for damages.

Political Impact of the Indictment

The formal indictment places Bolsonaro and his allies at the center of one of the most significant political investigations in Brazil’s recent history. The case could lead to Bolsonaro’s ineligibility and that of other accused individuals, directly affecting the political landscape for upcoming elections.

The STF’s decision on whether to accept the indictment will be a crucial moment in the case and could open the door to precautionary measures, including preventive arrests of those involved.

Prospects for the Legal Process

The legal proceedings against Bolsonaro and his allies are expected to follow a detailed timeline in the STF. If the indictment is accepted, the accused will become defendants and may face future trials.

As investigations progress, more individuals could be implicated depending on witness cooperation and the discovery of new evidence. The case is anticipated to have a significant impact on the national political scene in the coming months.