Former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro was formally charged on Tuesday (Feb 18) over an alleged coup attempt after his 2022 election loss. Investigations by Brazil's attorney general also discovered a plot to assassinate current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, to whom Bolsonaro lost the election battle, reports said.&nbsp;
Alongside Bolsonaro, 33 others have been charged over an alleged attempt to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election.
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<h2>What are the charges against them?</h2>
Bolsonaro, 69, and his co-accused face five charges linked to a supposed conspiracy to prevent President Lula from assuming office after a contentious election battle, reported AFP news agency.
Attorney General Paulo Gonet Branco presented the charges to Brazil&rsquo;s Supreme Court, citing "manuscripts, digital files, spreadsheets, and exchanges of messages that reveal the scheme to disrupt the democratic order".
In a statement, the attorney general's office revealed that the charges include "armed criminal organisation," allegedly led by the former president and his former vice-presidential candidate, Walter Braga Netto.
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"Allied with other individuals, including civilians and military personnel, they attempted to prevent, in a coordinated manner, the result of the 2022 presidential elections from being fulfilled," said the statement.
Authorities say Bolsonaro "actively participated" in a long-term strategy that began in 2021, with "systematic attacks on the electronic voting system, through public statements and on the internet."
These efforts, prosecutors argued, escalated into direct attempts to "prevent voters from voting for the opposition candidate," culminating in "the acts of violence and vandalism on January 8, 2023."
On 8 January 2023, Bolsonaro supporters stormed key government buildings in Bras&iacute;lia &mdash; the presidential palace, Congress and the Supreme Court.
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<h2>Evidence of a broader conspiracy</h2>
Prosecutors also alleged that Bolsonaro's 'criminal organisation' pressured military leaders "in favour of forceful actions in the political scene to prevent the elected president from taking office."
More alarmingly, the investigation uncovered a suspected assassination plot targeting Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and a Supreme Court judge, reportedly "with the approval of" Bolsonaro.
The January 8 riots, in which Bolsonaro supporters demanded military intervention, were described as "the final attempt" to prevent the transition of power.
<h2>Bolsonaro's response</h2>
Bolsonaro has denied all accusations, dismissing the case as political "persecution."&nbsp;
Hours before the charges were filed, the right-wing leader told reporters in Bras&iacute;lia that he had "no concern" about being indicted.
The Supreme Court will now decide whether to proceed with a trial against the former president. If convicted, Bolsonaro could face severe legal consequences.
(With inputs from agencies)

World News | Former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and allies face formal charges of conspiracy and an alleged coup attempt after the election loss to President Lula da Silva.

Former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro was formally charged on Tuesday (Feb 18) over an alleged coup attempt after his 2022 election loss. Investigations by Brazil's attorney general also discovered a plot to assassinate current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, to whom Bolsonaro lost the election battle, reports said. Alongside Bolsonaro, 33 others have been charged over an alleged attempt to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election. Also read | Ex-Brazil Prez Bolsonaro denied passport for Donald Trump's inauguration What are the charges against them? Bolsonaro, 69, and his co-accused face five charges linked to a supposed conspiracy to prevent President Lula from assuming office after a contentious election battle, reported AFP news agency. Attorney General Paulo Gonet Branco presented the charges to Brazil’s Supreme Court, citing "manuscripts, digital files, spreadsheets, and exchanges of messages that reveal the scheme to disrupt the democratic order". In a statement, the attorney general's office revealed that the charges include "armed criminal organisation," allegedly led by the former president and his former vice-presidential candidate, Walter Braga Netto. Also read | Top Bolsonaro ally arrested: Brazil's ex-Defence Minister Braga Netto accused of coup attempt "Allied with other individuals, including civilians and military personnel, they attempted to prevent, in a coordinated manner, the result of the 2022 presidential elections from being fulfilled," said the statement. Authorities say Bolsonaro "actively participated" in a long-term strategy that began in 2021, with "systematic attacks on the electronic voting system, through public statements and on the internet." These efforts, prosecutors argued, escalated into direct attempts to "prevent voters from voting for the opposition candidate," culminating in "the acts of violence and vandalism on January 8, 2023." On 8 January 2023, Bolsonaro supporters stormed key government buildings in Brasília — the presidential palace, Congress and the Supreme Court. Also read | Bolsonaro finding own political revival in Trump’s win, hoping for US sanctions on Brazil Evidence of a broader conspiracy Prosecutors also alleged that Bolsonaro's 'criminal organisation' pressured military leaders "in favour of forceful actions in the political scene to prevent the elected president from taking office." More alarmingly, the investigation uncovered a suspected assassination plot targeting Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and a Supreme Court judge, reportedly "with the approval of" Bolsonaro. The January 8 riots, in which Bolsonaro supporters demanded military intervention, were described as "the final attempt" to prevent the transition of power. Bolsonaro's response Bolsonaro has denied all accusations, dismissing the case as political "persecution." Hours before the charges were filed, the right-wing leader told reporters in Brasília that he had "no concern" about being indicted. The Supreme Court will now decide whether to proceed with a trial against the former president. If convicted, Bolsonaro could face severe legal consequences. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil charges Bolsonaro with conspiracy to overturn 2022 election results and assassinate Lula

Brazil's top court on Thursday refused to return the passport of right-wing former president Jair Bolsonaro so that he could attend the inauguration of US president Donald Trump.
The court said Bolsonaro still posed a flight risk, almost a year since his passport was seized as part of an investigation into his alleged orchestration of a coup attempt to remain in power after losing the 2022 election.
"The scenario that justified the imposition of the ban on leaving the country, with the surrender of passports, continues to indicate the possibility of an attempted evasion by the accused," judge Alexandre de Moraes wrote.
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The authenticity of a simple email invitation to the inauguration -- sent to Bolsonaro's son Eduardo without details of the event -- was the subject of widespread media attention in Brazil this week.
Moraes had requested additional proof of the invitation, which was not provided.
Nevertheless, the court analysed and denied the request to return Bolsonaro's passport.
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In an interview with the New York Times, published shortly before the court's decision, Bolsonaro -- dubbed the "Trump of the Tropics" during his time in office -- was effervescent about the possibility of attending the inauguration.
"I'm feeling like a kid again with Trump's invite. I'm fired up. I'm not even taking Viagra anymore," Bolsonaro joked, calling Trump "the most important guy in the world."
But while his hero is returning to office, the 69-year-old former army captain is staring down multiple criminal charges from investigations launched after his razor-thin election loss to Lula.
Bolsonaro has denied all accusations and said he is being "persecuted".
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He has been barred from holding public office until 2030 for casting doubts on the electoral system during his failed reelection campaign.
Police have also recommended he be charged for falsifying his Covid-19 vaccination records and misappropriating jewels and other luxury items gifted by Saudi Arabia, valued at $1.2 million.
The most serious allegation is that he "planned, acted, and had direct and effective control" over the plot to block Lula from taking office.
Police further alleged that Bolsonaro was "fully aware" of a plot by elite soldiers to assassinate Lula, vice-president Geraldo Alckmin and the high-profile judge Moraes.
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Five people, including a former Bolsonaro aide, were arrested in November over the assassination plot. 
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for&nbsp;WION&nbsp;audience.

World: The court said Bolsonaro still posed a flight risk, almost a year since his passport was seized as part of an investigation into his alleged orchestration of a coup attempt to remain in power after losing the 2022 election.

Brazil's top court on Thursday refused to return the passport of right-wing former president Jair Bolsonaro so that he could attend the inauguration of US president Donald Trump. The court said Bolsonaro still posed a flight risk, almost a year since his passport was seized as part of an investigation into his alleged orchestration of a coup attempt to remain in power after losing the 2022 election. "The scenario that justified the imposition of the ban on leaving the country, with the surrender of passports, continues to indicate the possibility of an attempted evasion by the accused," judge Alexandre de Moraes wrote. Also read: 'I'm coming out': Sunita Williams conducts spacewalk after being stuck in orbit for seven months The authenticity of a simple email invitation to the inauguration -- sent to Bolsonaro's son Eduardo without details of the event -- was the subject of widespread media attention in Brazil this week. Moraes had requested additional proof of the invitation, which was not provided. Nevertheless, the court analysed and denied the request to return Bolsonaro's passport. Also read: India: 12 Naxals killed in Chhattisgarh encounter in South Bastar In an interview with the New York Times, published shortly before the court's decision, Bolsonaro -- dubbed the "Trump of the Tropics" during his time in office -- was effervescent about the possibility of attending the inauguration. "I'm feeling like a kid again with Trump's invite. I'm fired up. I'm not even taking Viagra anymore," Bolsonaro joked, calling Trump "the most important guy in the world." But while his hero is returning to office, the 69-year-old former army captain is staring down multiple criminal charges from investigations launched after his razor-thin election loss to Lula. Bolsonaro has denied all accusations and said he is being "persecuted". Also read: Israeli cabinet set to approve Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas on Friday: Report He has been barred from holding public office until 2030 for casting doubts on the electoral system during his failed reelection campaign. Police have also recommended he be charged for falsifying his Covid-19 vaccination records and misappropriating jewels and other luxury items gifted by Saudi Arabia, valued at $1.2 million. The most serious allegation is that he "planned, acted, and had direct and effective control" over the plot to block Lula from taking office. Police further alleged that Bolsonaro was "fully aware" of a plot by elite soldiers to assassinate Lula, vice-president Geraldo Alckmin and the high-profile judge Moraes. Also read: Watch: Chaos overshadows Blinken’s last press briefing, reporters forcibly removed mid-session Five people, including a former Bolsonaro aide, were arrested in November over the assassination plot. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Ex-Brazil Prez Bolsonaro denied passport for Donald Trump's inauguration

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