Brazil's Supreme Court (STF) forms majority to indict Léo Índio, Bolsonaro's nephew, for his alleged participation in the coup attempts of January 8th.
A cousin of the former president's children will face charges for five crimes, including coup d'état and armed criminal association.
247 - The Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) has formed a majority to accept the complaint filed by the Attorney General's Office (PGR) against Leonardo Rodrigues de Jesus, known as Léo Índio, for his participation in the coup attempts of January 8, 2023. Léo Índio is the nephew of Rogéria Nantes, ex-wife of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and mother of Flávio, Carlos, and Eduardo Bolsonaro.
The trial is taking place in the First Chamber of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), composed of five justices. The rapporteur, Alexandre de Moraes, voted to accept the charges and indict Léo Índio for five crimes: coup d'état, attempted abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law, armed criminal association, aggravated damage, and deterioration of listed heritage.
According to the newspaper The GlobeMinisters Cármen Lúcia, Flávio Dino and Cristiano Zanin followed Moraes' vote, consolidating the majority. Luiz Fux will be the last to vote. The trial is taking place in the virtual plenary and is expected to conclude this Friday (28).
According to the Attorney General's Office's complaint, Léo Índio not only participated in the anti-democratic demonstrations, but also actively instigated and collaborated in the acts of vandalism. The document presented to the Supreme Court highlights that he recorded and disseminated images in front of the National Congress at the moment he participated in the invasion and destruction of the headquarters of the Three Branches of Government.
Furthermore, the Attorney General's Office points out that Léo Índio was involved in other mobilizations of a coup-like nature, including demonstrations in front of military units after the 2022 presidential elections.
The defense, however, disputes the accusations and states that he "did not participate in any act of invasion or destruction of public property, being present only at a peaceful demonstration, which evolved into an unexpected riot."
