Bolsonaro says defense will focus on technical aspects in trial against allegations of coup.
"I have good lawyers and they will, at first, explain the technicalities," said the former president.
Reuters - Former President Jair Bolsonaro, a central figure in the charges of attempted coup and other crimes that are to be analyzed on Tuesday by the Supreme Federal Court (STF), again questioned the process on Monday, and stated that his defense team will focus on technical aspects of the case.
According to the former president, who has repeatedly claimed to be a victim of political persecution, his case does not respect what is called due process of law.
"Why all this speed? Why this rush? I usually say, if I'm so guilty, why not follow due process?", he questioned on the Inteligência Ltda. podcast on Monday night.
"The admissibility hearing begins tomorrow, to determine whether I will become a defendant or not. I have good lawyers, and they will initially explain the technical aspects of the case," he added.
Bolsonaro and seven others -- former ministers and former military officers -- could become defendants at the end of a trial that begins on Tuesday. The First Panel of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) is expected to analyze whether to accept the complaint filed by the Attorney General's Office (PGR) for attempted coup d'état and other crimes related to his attempt to remain in power after his defeat in the October 2022 presidential election, placing him as the leader of a criminal organization that acted to that end.
The former president used his appearance on the podcast to question, for example, the court in which his case is being analyzed, highlighting the lack of legal consensus on the subject.
"My jurisdiction is the first instance court," he argued.
"Furthermore, if they (the Supreme Court justices) decide that it has to be the final instance (of the Supreme Court), it would have to be the entire plenary session and not just one panel; it starts there," he stated.
The analysis of the case by the First Panel follows the rules of the Supreme Court's internal regulations, according to which the panels are responsible for analyzing criminal cases. Composed of Alexandre de Moraes, the case's rapporteur, and ministers Cristiano Zanin (president), Flávio Dino, and Luiz Fux, in addition to Minister Cármen Lúcia, the panel will assess whether the accusation has sufficient elements to initiate criminal proceedings.
