Brazilian ex-president Jair Bolsonaro "actively participated" in a 2022 coup plot to prevent his successor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, from taking office, police alleged in a report made public Tuesday.

Bolsonaro was also "fully aware" of an alleged plan by elite soldiers to assassinate Lula, his vice president and a Supreme Court judge, said the report, which has been handed to Brazil's attorney general.

Attorney General Paulo Gonet is examining these explosive allegations to see if the evidence supports charges being laid against Bolsonaro and 36 other people named as co-conspirators.

The 884-page report drawn up after a nearly two-year police investigation urges Gonet to indict Bolsonaro and the others for planning an attempted coup and seeking to "violently overthrow the democratic state."

The document details alleged collusion between Bolsonaro and some of his officials, including members of his military brass, to claim fraud in the 2022 elections won by Lula and to use decrees to sideline the Supreme Court.

"The then-President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro, actively participated in the creation of the coup plan, being directly involved in the drafting of documents and strategies to remain in power, even after the electoral defeat," the report said.

"He was one of the central figures in the meetings to define the steps and actions to be taken," it alleged.

<h2>- Bolsonaro says innocent -</h2>

 
The report was made public by the Supreme Court judge overseeing the case, Alexandre de Moraes -- one of the targets of the alleged assassination plot.

That alleged plot, which police said was codenamed "Green and Yellow Dagger," led to the arrests last week of four elite soldiers and a police officer. They were suspected of planning to poison Lula in 2022.

Bolsonaro, president between 2019 and 2022, has denied the coup allegation and says he is the victim of "persecution."

"The term 'coup d'etat' has never been part of my lexicon," he told a news conference on Monday.

The 69-year-old former army captain lost the October 2022 elections to Lula, a left-winger who was previously president between 2003 and 2010.

Multiple investigations have been launched in Brazil over suspected plots against Lula and his administration.

An insurrection that took place in Brasilia on January 8, 2023, when thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed the capital's presidential palace, the Congress building and the Supreme Court, was the most striking of those seen publicly.

Investigations continue into that upheaval, which echoed scenes from the United States two years earlier, when supporters of Donald Trump protesting President Joe Biden's election win attacked the US Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021.

Among those named as co-conspirators in the alleged coup were: Bolsonaro's defence minister, General Walter Braga Netto; the head of Bolsonaro's conservative Liberal Party, Valdemar Costa Neto; Ailton Goncalves Moraes Barros, a retired military man already indicted in two other investigations; Colonel Alexandre Castilho Bitencourt da Silva; and Admiral Almir Garnier Santos.

Bolsonaro has already been declared ineligible to hold public office until 2030 for having made unsubstantiated claims of fraud in Brazil's electronic voting system.&nbsp;

He has been prohibited from leaving the country while a vast probe named "Tempus Veritatis" ("the time of truth" in Latin) continues. The investigation has already swept up several of Bolsonaro's closest aides.

Bolsonaro hopes to overturn the ineligibility ruling and attempt a comeback in the 2026 presidential elections.&nbsp;

Brazilian ex-president Jair Bolsonaro "actively participated" in a 2022 coup plot to prevent his successor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, from taking office, police alleged in a report made public Tuesday.

Brazilian ex-president Jair Bolsonaro "actively participated" in a 2022 coup plot to prevent his successor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, from taking office, police alleged in a report made public Tuesday. Bolsonaro was also "fully aware" of an alleged plan by elite soldiers to assassinate Lula, his vice president and a Supreme Court judge, said the report, which has been handed to Brazil's attorney general. Attorney General Paulo Gonet is examining these explosive allegations to see if the evidence supports charges being laid against Bolsonaro and 36 other people named as co-conspirators. The 884-page report drawn up after a nearly two-year police investigation urges Gonet to indict Bolsonaro and the others for planning an attempted coup and seeking to "violently overthrow the democratic state." The document details alleged collusion between Bolsonaro and some of his officials, including members of his military brass, to claim fraud in the 2022 elections won by Lula and to use decrees to sideline the Supreme Court. "The then-President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro, actively participated in the creation of the coup plan, being directly involved in the drafting of documents and strategies to remain in power, even after the electoral defeat," the report said. "He was one of the central figures in the meetings to define the steps and actions to be taken," it alleged. - Bolsonaro says innocent - The report was made public by the Supreme Court judge overseeing the case, Alexandre de Moraes -- one of the targets of the alleged assassination plot. That alleged plot, which police said was codenamed "Green and Yellow Dagger," led to the arrests last week of four elite soldiers and a police officer. They were suspected of planning to poison Lula in 2022. Bolsonaro, president between 2019 and 2022, has denied the coup allegation and says he is the victim of "persecution." "The term 'coup d'etat' has never been part of my lexicon," he told a news conference on Monday. The 69-year-old former army captain lost the October 2022 elections to Lula, a left-winger who was previously president between 2003 and 2010. Multiple investigations have been launched in Brazil over suspected plots against Lula and his administration. An insurrection that took place in Brasilia on January 8, 2023, when thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed the capital's presidential palace, the Congress building and the Supreme Court, was the most striking of those seen publicly. Investigations continue into that upheaval, which echoed scenes from the United States two years earlier, when supporters of Donald Trump protesting President Joe Biden's election win attacked the US Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021. Among those named as co-conspirators in the alleged coup were: Bolsonaro's defence minister, General Walter Braga Netto; the head of Bolsonaro's conservative Liberal Party, Valdemar Costa Neto; Ailton Goncalves Moraes Barros, a retired military man already indicted in two other investigations; Colonel Alexandre Castilho Bitencourt da Silva; and Admiral Almir Garnier Santos. Bolsonaro has already been declared ineligible to hold public office until 2030 for having made unsubstantiated claims of fraud in Brazil's electronic voting system. He has been prohibited from leaving the country while a vast probe named "Tempus Veritatis" ("the time of truth" in Latin) continues. The investigation has already swept up several of Bolsonaro's closest aides. Bolsonaro hopes to overturn the ineligibility ruling and attempt a comeback in the 2026 presidential elections.

Bolsonaro 'actively participated' in 2022 coup plot: Police

One of the closest aides of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is found to have harboured plans for&nbsp;a military coup in the country to prevent the transition of power following the October presidential elections last year.&nbsp;

Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid has been accused by Brazilian police of having explored the use of military force to interfere with the democratic handover of power. He is already in police custody over allegations that he faked the COVID-19 vaccination card for the former president.&nbsp;

<h2>Coup allegations against Bolsonaro’s closest aide</h2>

The reports of one of Bolsonaro’s aides exploring the possibility of resorting to military means to prevent the smooth transition of power first emerged in the news magazine Veja. Now, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has unsealed the police report to support these damning claims.&nbsp;

According to the police report, Cid looked into “the possibility of using the armed forces, on an exceptional basis, to ensure the independent and harmonious functioning of the Powers of the Union, through determination of the President of the Republic."

He has also been accused of gathering "documents with the aim of obtaining 'legal and judicial' support for the execution of a coup d'état."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-ex-president-bolsonaro-hands-over-undeclared-saudi-gifts-worth-thousands-of-dollars-to-authorities-575479">Also read:&nbsp;Brazil ex-prez Bolsonaro hands over undeclared Saudi ‘gifts’ worth thousands of dollars to authorities</a>

However, it was still unknown whether the highly objectionable content found on Cid’s phone ever reached Bolsonaro.

<h2>Evidence mounts against Bolsonaro</h2>

Brazilian President Lula da Silva has openly accused Bolsonaro on several occasions of involvement in coup attempts. In response, Bolsonaro and his legal team have consistently maintained his innocence. However, Bolsonaro himself is currently under investigation for various matters, including his potential role in instigating the attack that occurred on January 8.

The recent discovery of material on Cid's phone has added to the mounting evidence suggesting that members of Bolsonaro's inner circle were actively exploring ways to prevent Lula from assuming office and diminish the powers of Brazil's top federal courts.

Watch:&nbsp;Supporters of Brazil's Bolsonaro storm Presidential palace

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In January, a draft presidential decree, aimed at manipulating the election results, was uncovered by the police at the residence of former Justice Minister Anderson Torres.

Now, the significant piece of evidence found on Cid's phone amounts to a potential roadmap for obstructing Lula's inauguration on January 1. The document argues that the judiciary and media had engaged in unconstitutional actions to favour Lula during the election, justifying the need for a “correction” and outside intervention.

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One of the closest aides of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is found to have harboured plans for a military coup in the country to prevent the transition of power following the October presidential elections last year.

One of the closest aides of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is found to have harboured plans for a military coup in the country to prevent the transition of power following the October presidential elections last year. Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid has been accused by Brazilian police of having explored the use of military force to interfere with the democratic handover of power. He is already in police custody over allegations that he faked the COVID-19 vaccination card for the former president. Coup allegations against Bolsonaro’s closest aide The reports of one of Bolsonaro’s aides exploring the possibility of resorting to military means to prevent the smooth transition of power first emerged in the news magazine Veja. Now, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has unsealed the police report to support these damning claims. According to the police report, Cid looked into “the possibility of using the armed forces, on an exceptional basis, to ensure the independent and harmonious functioning of the Powers of the Union, through determination of the President of the Republic." He has also been accused of gathering "documents with the aim of obtaining 'legal and judicial' support for the execution of a coup d'état." Also read: Brazil ex-prez Bolsonaro hands over undeclared Saudi ‘gifts’ worth thousands of dollars to authorities However, it was still unknown whether the highly objectionable content found on Cid’s phone ever reached Bolsonaro. Evidence mounts against Bolsonaro Brazilian President Lula da Silva has openly accused Bolsonaro on several occasions of involvement in coup attempts. In response, Bolsonaro and his legal team have consistently maintained his innocence. However, Bolsonaro himself is currently under investigation for various matters, including his potential role in instigating the attack that occurred on January 8. The recent discovery of material on Cid's phone has added to the mounting evidence suggesting that members of Bolsonaro's inner circle were actively exploring ways to prevent Lula from assuming office and diminish the powers of Brazil's top federal courts. Watch: Supporters of Brazil's Bolsonaro storm Presidential palace × In January, a draft presidential decree, aimed at manipulating the election results, was uncovered by the police at the residence of former Justice Minister Anderson Torres. Now, the significant piece of evidence found on Cid's phone amounts to a potential roadmap for obstructing Lula's inauguration on January 1. The document argues that the judiciary and media had engaged in unconstitutional actions to favour Lula during the election, justifying the need for a “correction” and outside intervention. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Bolsonaro’s closest aide had plans ready for military coup in Brazil: Police

Brazil is in the middle of a twin crisis, a pandemic that is claiming more than 3,000 lives every day and an embattled president whose military chiefs have abandoned him.

President Jair Bolsonaro is losing support among his allies and faces an uphill re-election battle next year.

Watch |&nbsp;

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There are worries that Bolsonaro will stack the army and government with loyalists.

And that if the popular vote is against him possibly even can lead to a military takeover.

Our report decodes more about this.&nbsp;

It's no secret that the Brazilian president is a huge fan of former US president Donald Trump.

Not just his politics it seems, but even his television stint.

Trump's "you're fired" line from the celebrity apprentice is Bolsonaro's new favourite.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/military-chiefs-exit-in-new-turmoil-for-bolsonaro-after-cabinet-shake-up-374345">Military chiefs exit in new turmoil for Bolsonaro after Cabinet shake-up</a>

In the last year, the president has booted out three health ministers and on Monday he went on a firing spree as the foreign, defence and justice ministers were shown the door.

His chief of staff, attorney general and government secretary were also sacked.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro has not explained his decision and only the change of guard at the foreign office was expected.&nbsp;

Ousted minister Ernesto Araújo was a serial denier as he denied globalisation, climate change and importing vaccines against Covid-19.

The last one sealed his political fate.

Bolsonaro's plan is to fill the cabinet with his loyalists.

The president's popularity has hit rock bottom with his rhetoric on masks and lockdowns losing currency.

This reshuffle is the wiggle room he needed.&nbsp;

"These changes have two fundamental objectives, which is what it seems so far. To provide a better relationship between the executive and its legislative support base to reduce the pressure that Bolsonaro has suffered in various sectors of society and also from allies in the national congress, " Creomar De Souza, founder of Dharma political risk and strategy, said.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro plans to beat the Wuhan virus with politics.

His hero tried doing the same and ended up losing the White House.

But Bolsonaro still has a card to play: the military.

All three commanders of Brazil's armed forces have resigned, something that has happened for the first time in the country's history.&nbsp;

The president was keen on their support but the military chiefs wanted nothing to do with politics.&nbsp;

Brazil has seen this before from 1964 to 1985, a military regime ruled the country.

Since the return to democracy, the army has cultivated an apolitical image, something Bolsonaro seems intent to shred.&nbsp;

He openly boasts of the army's support, sings praises of the dictatorship and circles back to his career as an army captain.&nbsp;

Everyone in Brazil is thinking about it, but no one is saying it out loud.

<h2>Is military takeover on the cards?</h2>

The vice president says there are zero risks of that, but closer to elections things may change.

Bolsonaro is up for re-election next year and Brazilians are unlikely to forget how their president left them defenceless against the virus.&nbsp;

More than 317,000 have lost their lives due to coronavirus and Most of them could be avoided.&nbsp;

To make matters worse, a political warhorse is back in the fray.

Former president Lula da Silva has clinched a clean chit from the apex court in a corruption trial.

Opinion polls put the two leaders in a dead heat.

Bolsonaro authored the book on how not to handle a pandemic.

But, nothing in his record suggests he will not lead a military takeover.

It would be disastrous for Brazil and for Latin America.&nbsp;

Two years back, Bolsonaro watched on as the Amazon Rainforests burnt and today, he is leading Brazil's democracy into arson. 
&nbsp;

Brazil is in the middle of a twin crisis, a pandemic that is claiming more than 3,000 lives every day and an embattled president whose military chiefs have abandoned him.

Brazil is in the middle of a twin crisis, a pandemic that is claiming more than 3,000 lives every day and an embattled president whose military chiefs have abandoned him. President Jair Bolsonaro is losing support among his allies and faces an uphill re-election battle next year. Watch | There are worries that Bolsonaro will stack the army and government with loyalists. And that if the popular vote is against him possibly even can lead to a military takeover. Our report decodes more about this. It's no secret that the Brazilian president is a huge fan of former US president Donald Trump. Not just his politics it seems, but even his television stint. Trump's "you're fired" line from the celebrity apprentice is Bolsonaro's new favourite. Also read | Military chiefs exit in new turmoil for Bolsonaro after Cabinet shake-up In the last year, the president has booted out three health ministers and on Monday he went on a firing spree as the foreign, defence and justice ministers were shown the door. His chief of staff, attorney general and government secretary were also sacked. Bolsonaro has not explained his decision and only the change of guard at the foreign office was expected. Ousted minister Ernesto Araújo was a serial denier as he denied globalisation, climate change and importing vaccines against Covid-19. The last one sealed his political fate. Bolsonaro's plan is to fill the cabinet with his loyalists. The president's popularity has hit rock bottom with his rhetoric on masks and lockdowns losing currency. This reshuffle is the wiggle room he needed. "These changes have two fundamental objectives, which is what it seems so far. To provide a better relationship between the executive and its legislative support base to reduce the pressure that Bolsonaro has suffered in various sectors of society and also from allies in the national congress, " Creomar De Souza, founder of Dharma political risk and strategy, said. Bolsonaro plans to beat the Wuhan virus with politics. His hero tried doing the same and ended up losing the White House. But Bolsonaro still has a card to play: the military. All three commanders of Brazil's armed forces have resigned, something that has happened for the first time in the country's history. The president was keen on their support but the military chiefs wanted nothing to do with politics. Brazil has seen this before from 1964 to 1985, a military regime ruled the country. Since the return to democracy, the army has cultivated an apolitical image, something Bolsonaro seems intent to shred. He openly boasts of the army's support, sings praises of the dictatorship and circles back to his career as an army captain. Everyone in Brazil is thinking about it, but no one is saying it out loud. Is military takeover on the cards? The vice president says there are zero risks of that, but closer to elections things may change. Bolsonaro is up for re-election next year and Brazilians are unlikely to forget how their president left them defenceless against the virus. More than 317,000 have lost their lives due to coronavirus and Most of them could be avoided. To make matters worse, a political warhorse is back in the fray. Former president Lula da Silva has clinched a clean chit from the apex court in a corruption trial. Opinion polls put the two leaders in a dead heat. Bolsonaro authored the book on how not to handle a pandemic. But, nothing in his record suggests he will not lead a military takeover. It would be disastrous for Brazil and for Latin America. Two years back, Bolsonaro watched on as the Amazon Rainforests burnt and today, he is leading Brazil's democracy into arson.

As Bolsonaro faces heat, threat of military takeover looms

Several thousand protesters chanting "dictatorship never again" took to the streets of Brazil´s biggest cities Sunday on the 55th anniversary of the coup that established more than two decades of military rule.&nbsp;

Some 2,000 people rallied in Rio de Janeiro's central Cinelandia plaza, while in Sao Paulo a few hundred converged on popular Ibirapuera Park to demonstrate against the 1964-1985 dictatorship.

The protests were sparked by the order recently issued by far-right President Jair Bolsonaro for defence forces to "appropriately" commemorate the overthrow of President Joao Goulart.

Nearly 1,000 noisy protesters in Brasilia chanted slogans against Bolsonaro, an ex-army captain and unabashed admirer of the country´s former dictators, shouting "Bolsonaro out."

"It's not a date that should be commemorated," retired teacher Maria Fatima, who is 65, told AFP at the Rio demonstration. "It is a day of mourning, of violence, of cruelty."

The demonstrations came a day after an appeals court judge overturned another judge´s decision to bar commemorations sought by Bolsonaro.&nbsp;

Appellate judge Maria do Carmo Cardoso accepted the government's argument that Brazilian democracy was strong enough to support "pluralism of ideas." &nbsp;&nbsp;

"I see no violation of human rights, particularly as similar demonstrations took place in the barracks in preceding years with no negative consequences," she wrote.

Bolsonaro, who is on a three-day visit to Israel, is the country's first president since democracy was restored in 1985 to publicly exalt the military regime, though he argues its rise to power was not a "coup."

In the past, the tough-talking Bolsonaro has referred to the dictatorship as a "glorious" time in Brazilian history. He was quoted in 2008 as saying that "the error of the dictatorship was that it tortured but did not kill."

Since taking office, Bolsonaro has had fond words for military dictators in 1970s and 1980s Latin America, such as Alfredo Stroessner of Paraguay and Chile's Augusto Pinochet.

At least 434 people were killed or disappeared in Brazil during the 21-year dictatorship, far fewer than the 30,000 deaths in Argentina and &nbsp;3,200 or more in Chile during their respective periods of right-wing military rule.

But unlike its South American neighbours, Brazil has not prosecuted military officials for regime-era crimes, leaving the events of that dark period unresolved.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro, who ran for the presidency as a political outsider determined to dismantle a culture of corruption, has seen his approval rating plunge amid scandals and missteps since his January 1 inauguration.

Several thousand protesters chanting "dictatorship never again" took to the streets of Brazil´s biggest cities Sunday on the 55th anniversary of the coup that established more than two decades of military rule.

Several thousand protesters chanting "dictatorship never again" took to the streets of Brazil´s biggest cities Sunday on the 55th anniversary of the coup that established more than two decades of military rule. Some 2,000 people rallied in Rio de Janeiro's central Cinelandia plaza, while in Sao Paulo a few hundred converged on popular Ibirapuera Park to demonstrate against the 1964-1985 dictatorship. The protests were sparked by the order recently issued by far-right President Jair Bolsonaro for defence forces to "appropriately" commemorate the overthrow of President Joao Goulart. Nearly 1,000 noisy protesters in Brasilia chanted slogans against Bolsonaro, an ex-army captain and unabashed admirer of the country´s former dictators, shouting "Bolsonaro out." "It's not a date that should be commemorated," retired teacher Maria Fatima, who is 65, told AFP at the Rio demonstration. "It is a day of mourning, of violence, of cruelty." The demonstrations came a day after an appeals court judge overturned another judge´s decision to bar commemorations sought by Bolsonaro. Appellate judge Maria do Carmo Cardoso accepted the government's argument that Brazilian democracy was strong enough to support "pluralism of ideas." "I see no violation of human rights, particularly as similar demonstrations took place in the barracks in preceding years with no negative consequences," she wrote. Bolsonaro, who is on a three-day visit to Israel, is the country's first president since democracy was restored in 1985 to publicly exalt the military regime, though he argues its rise to power was not a "coup." In the past, the tough-talking Bolsonaro has referred to the dictatorship as a "glorious" time in Brazilian history. He was quoted in 2008 as saying that "the error of the dictatorship was that it tortured but did not kill." Since taking office, Bolsonaro has had fond words for military dictators in 1970s and 1980s Latin America, such as Alfredo Stroessner of Paraguay and Chile's Augusto Pinochet. At least 434 people were killed or disappeared in Brazil during the 21-year dictatorship, far fewer than the 30,000 deaths in Argentina and 3,200 or more in Chile during their respective periods of right-wing military rule. But unlike its South American neighbours, Brazil has not prosecuted military officials for regime-era crimes, leaving the events of that dark period unresolved. Bolsonaro, who ran for the presidency as a political outsider determined to dismantle a culture of corruption, has seen his approval rating plunge amid scandals and missteps since his January 1 inauguration.

Thousands in Brazil protest military coup anniversary

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Bolsonaro 'actively participated' in 2022 coup plot: Police

Bolsonaro’s closest aide had plans ready for military coup in Brazil: Police

As Bolsonaro faces heat, threat of military takeover looms

Thousands in Brazil protest military coup anniversary