Rio de Janeiro, Jun. 10, (dpa/GNA) – The Brazilian Supreme Court on Monday began questioning eight defendants close to ex-president Jair Bolsonaro in the trial over an alleged coup attempt.
Public prosecutors accuse the group of planning a coup against Bolsonaro’s successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, shortly after he took office.
Bolsonaro’s supporters violently stormed Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace in the capital Brasília on January 8, 2023.
Security forces required hours to regain control of the government district.
According to the prosecutors, the defendants are alleged to have played a central role in the attempted coup d’état against the democratic order.
The hearings begin with Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid, Bolsonaro’s aide and confidant during his presidency.
Cid is now co-operating with the judiciary as a key witness and his statements are a serious problem for the right-wing ex-president.
In addition to Bolsonaro, the other accused include several former ministers and senior military officers.
Bolsonaro himself is also to be questioned in the trial, although the exact date is unclear.
The defendants are charged with attempting to violently abolish the democratic legal system, participation in an armed criminal organization, damage to property and damage to listed buildings.
The hearings are scheduled until June 13.
GNA
PDC