Coup plot: Moraes schedules testimony from 'core 2'; Carlos and Eduardo Bolsonaro will be heard.
Jair Bolsonaro's sons will be heard as witnesses for Filipe Martins, the former advisor to the ex-president, who is accused of drafting the "coup plan."
247 - Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has scheduled hearings for prosecution and defense witnesses in the case investigating the attempted coup d'état, linked to the so-called "Nucleus 2," for the period of July 14 to 21. During this period, testimonies will be given by city councilman Carlos Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) and licensed congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP), sons of Jair Bolsonaro (PL).
According to the newspaper The State of S. PaulThe two witnesses will be heard on July 16th, in the context of investigations involving Filipe Martins, former advisor to Bolsonaro, accused of drafting the "coup plan." Martins also faces accusations of illegally monitoring Minister Alexandre de Moraes and of colluding with the Federal Highway Police (PRF) to hinder voting in the Northeast during the 2022 elections. The participation of Carlos and Eduardo Bolsonaro is directly related to the allegations against Martins.
Besides Martins, "Group 2" is composed of five other defendants: Fernando de Sousa Oliveira (Federal Police delegate), Filipe Garcia Martins Pereira (former advisor to the Presidency of the Republic for International Affairs), Marcelo Costa Câmara (retired Army colonel and former presidential advisor), Marília Ferreira de Alencar (delegate and former director of Intelligence of the Federal Police), Mário Fernandes (retired Army general), and Silvinei Vasques (former director-general of the Federal Highway Police). All are charged with serious crimes, including attempted violent abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law, participation in an armed criminal organization, and aggravated damage.
According to the report, the schedule also includes the testimony of Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid, former aide-de-camp to Jair Bolsonaro, who signed a plea bargain agreement, on July 14th. Following that, the hearings of defense witnesses will begin, with a total of 118 people indicated, some of whom are common to more than one defendant. Witnesses with parliamentary immunity, such as senators and deputies, will be able to choose the date, location, and time for their testimony.
On the other hand, the minister rejected requests to hear other figures such as General and former Minister Walter Braga Netto, Rafael Martins, Jair Bolsonaro, and Anderson Torres, among other investigated individuals. Moraes justified this by stating that Supreme Court jurisprudence prevents the hearing of co-defendants and defendants in related cases as witnesses. Furthermore, preliminary defense arguments, such as allegations of curtailment of the right to defense, violation of due process, and bias of Supreme Court justices, were also dismissed, as these issues had already been rejected by the Court's First Panel.
