Bolsonaro's record reinforces the Superior Military Court's judgment on patent forfeiture.
Against Braga Netto is his unpopularity within the Armed Forces following attacks directed at members of the high military command.
247 - Brazil's Superior Military Court (STM) is preparing to analyze the potential loss of rank for military officers convicted of attempted coup d'état, in a trial described internally as unpredictable. Among the defendants, the most delicate situation is considered to be that of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and former Minister of the Civil House and Defense Walter Braga Netto, cited as the cases with the highest degree of aggravating circumstances according to ministers interviewed by Ana Flor. G1.
In Bolsonaro's case, ministers, former members of the Court, and experts in Military Justice highlight that his history of having been previously judged by the STM itself for irregular conduct weighs against him. Between 1987 and 1988, the then-captain went through two separate Justification Councils: he was unanimously convicted in the first instance and subsequently acquitted by majority vote in the court's plenary session. For Carlos Fico, a professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and historian, this past tends to influence the current analysis. "Precedents weigh heavily in the analysis of the military ministers," he stated. "There's always an aura of it being 'a second time'," he added.
The assessment of Walter Braga Netto, in turn, involves the erosion of his image within the Armed Forces following attacks directed at members of the high military command. According to messages and documents obtained by investigators, these actions were allegedly orchestrated with the aim of mobilizing internal support for an attempt to reverse the results of the 2022 elections, which worsened his situation with the military leadership.
Formally, the Superior Military Court (STM) will only rule on the dignity of military officers already convicted in the final instance for crimes against democracy and for attempted coup d'état. The trial does not review the convictions, but analyzes whether the acts committed are compatible with remaining in the military career. In total, five convicts had their cases referred to the military court.
Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid was also convicted, but received a sentence of up to two years, which removes his case from the scope of the STM's review. The reduction in punishment occurred due to the plea bargain agreement signed during the investigations.
Other names, such as Augusto Heleno and former Navy commander Almir Garnier, will be carefully examined by the military ministers. In Heleno's case, factors such as age and health are considered, in addition to the prestige he holds in the court. Garnier, on the other hand, has former colleagues from the Admiralty among the ministers, which could influence the internal debate.
An analyst who follows the workings of the STM (Superior Military Court) emphasizes the complexity of the decision awaiting the ministers. "In any case, a minister will have to find many arguments to say that he disagrees that those people are unworthy of the officer corps even with a conviction because they conspired against democracy," he considered.
