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Jair Bolsonaro: The Brazilian ex-president repeatedly cast doubts about the Brazilian electoral system during his time in office - without concrete evidence

Photo: Adriano Machado / REUTERS

Authorities in Brazil have been investigating suspected coup plans by former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for months.

The investigators now have explosive statements: several high-ranking military officials incriminate the former Brazilian president.

The Brazilian federal police accuse the former right-wing head of state and his allies of preparing a coup to stay in power after the election defeat against current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Lula narrowly won the vote in October 2022.

During the relevant investigations, incriminating details have repeatedly emerged in recent weeks.

The witness statements now published by the Brazilian Supreme Court are considered particularly relevant.

Bolsonaro is said to have discussed a decree for a coup

Bolsonaro discussed the draft of a coup decree at a meeting with military representatives, the then army chief Freire Gomes said in his interrogation.

The draft therefore envisaged declaring a case of defense and having the legality of the elections checked.

Gomes then told Bolsonaro that he would have to have him arrested if he made such an attempt.

This in turn emerges from the interrogation of the then air force commander Carlos de Almeida Baptista Júnior.

Former naval commander Almir Garnier, however, did not comment on the meetings.

According to Bolsonaro's aide Mauro Cid, he is said to have sympathized with the plans for a coup and offered troops for a possible coup.

Jair Bolsonaro has also already been summoned as part of the investigation.

However, he refused to make a statement at the federal police headquarters in the capital Brasília in February.

The investigation also focuses on the events on January 8, 2023: At that time, supporters of the ex-military who did not want to recognize Lula's election victory stormed Congress, the seat of government and the Supreme Court in Brasília and caused considerable damage.

Previously, Bolsonaro had repeatedly cast doubts about the Brazilian electoral system during his term in office - without, however, providing any concrete evidence.

spr/dpa