Moraes and Dino highlight Bolsonaro as the leader of the coup conspiracy in the trial.

247 - The trial of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and seven other defendants by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) has reached a historic milestone in Brazilian politics. For the first time, a former president of Brazil may be held accountable for attempted coup d'état. The vote, initially conducted by ministers Alexandre de Moraes and Flávio Dino, highlighted Bolsonaro's leadership in the actions that culminated in the attack on democratic institutions on January 8, 2023, reports the newspaper. The GlobeThe trial, which runs until Friday (12), has been attracting national attention due to the seriousness of the accusations.

During Tuesday's session (9), Moraes, rapporteur of the process, and Dino voted in favor of the conviction of Bolsonaro and others involved for crimes such as attempted coup d'état, violent abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law and armed criminal organization. Both ministers highlighted the former president's leadership role in the events that led to the attack on January 8, where hundreds of people invaded the buildings of the Three Powers. In his statement, Moraes stated that the former president "exercised the function of leader of the criminal structure", highlighting his involvement in acts such as attacks on ballot boxes, persecution of political opponents and the articulation of a plan to perpetuate his power by force.

Besides Bolsonaro, other names from the previous government are being held accountable, including former ministers such as Braga Netto, Paulo Sérgio Nogueira, Anderson Torres, and Augusto Heleno. The former Navy commander, Almir Garnier, and federal deputy Alexandre Ramagem are also among the defendants. However, although the focus of the trial is Bolsonaro's leadership, Dino made a point of emphasizing the prominent position of General Walter Braga Netto, who was Bolsonaro's vice-presidential candidate. "In fact, he (Bolsonaro) and the defendant Braga Netto occupy this leadership position; they did in fact have control over all the events that are in the records," stated Dino.

During the trial, Moraes presented a series of documentary evidence to reinforce the accusations, including documents indicating the drafting of exceptional measures and insurrection plans. The minister also refuted the arguments of the defense lawyers, who tried to minimize Bolsonaro's actions. "There is no constitutional provision for the declaration of a state of siege or a state of defense in the case of electoral defeat. This is a draft of a coup d'état," stated the rapporteur.

According to Moraes, the events of January 8th were not a "spontaneous combustion," but rather the result of a carefully orchestrated plan by the criminal organization led by Bolsonaro. "This call, not from the Brazilian people, but from coup-plotting criminals, resulted in what happened on January 8th," he declared, with strong emphasis.

Dino, in turn, also addressed the serious threats that arose with the coup plot, and stated that the plan to assassinate authorities was a crucial component of the plot. "The name of the plan (to assassinate authorities) was not 'Green and Yellow Bible'," said the minister, adding that the National Congress, in parallel to the trial, has been discussing a possible amnesty for Bolsonaro and other defendants involved in the January attacks.