Supreme Federal Court (STF) has reinforced security for the trial of the coup plot.

Felipe Pontes, reporter for Agência Brasil - The area surrounding the Federal Supreme Court (STF) woke up with reinforced security this Monday (1st), the day before the start of the trial into a coup plot that allegedly attempted to keep former president Jair Bolsonaro in power. 

The extra number of men and vehicles from the Federal District Military Police (PMDF) must remain on standby until at least September 12, when the trial should have concluded, according to the schedule stipulated by the Supreme Court. 

Starting this Monday, an Integrated Intelligence Unit also began operating at the headquarters of the Federal District's Public Security Secretariat (SSP). The unit brings together local and national security agencies, which monitor the movement of people in Brasília and on social media with the aim of launching preventive actions if necessary. 

Starting this Tuesday (2), the surroundings of the court will be subject to an integrated security scheme between the Federal Judicial Police and the SSP-DF. Gatherings that constitute demonstrations and any type of encampment in the vicinity are prohibited. 

Police officers will monitor those passing through Praça dos Três Poderes and the access roads to the Supreme Court, including stopping and searching backpacks and bags. One of the biggest concerns is lone acts by supporters of the former president. Daytime and nighttime sweeps will also be conducted using thermal imaging drones.

Even though demonstrations are not permitted nearby, the trial is expected to change the routine of downtown Brasília, as more than three thousand people have registered to attend the trial in person, with limited spaces available to the public. Among national and international journalists, more than 501 professionals have requested accreditation. 

The main target of the trial is Bolsonaro himself, who is not required to attend but can follow the case in person if he wishes. However, authorization from Justice Alexandre de Moraes is required for this, as the president was placed under house arrest by the rapporteur of the criminal case. 

The other seven defendants, including military personnel and civilians, all former close aides to Bolsonaro who were accused by the Attorney General's Office (PGR) of attempting to undermine the democratic order in Brazil, also have the right to attend the trial. 

There are no planned closures on the Esplanada dos Ministérios during the week, except for the September 7th parade, which takes place on Saturday. In this case, the road closure will begin at 17 p.m. on the 6th, near the Brasília Cathedral, and at 23 p.m., from the east side, just after the Plano Piloto Bus Station.

Weapons are prohibited.

Public access will be open from 6 a.m. on September 7. Items such as weapons, sharp objects, flammable substances, glass containers, fireworks, large backpacks, tents, and unauthorized drones are prohibited. 

The Supreme Federal Court has been preparing – since mid-August – for the trial regarding the Bolsonaro coup plot. Since last month, approximately 30 agents from the Judicial Police have been sent from various states, and others are sleeping at the court headquarters in dormitories set up to keep them on standby. 

Among the precautions, there were also repeated sweeps of the Supreme Court building and also of the homes of the ministers of the First Chamber, which, in addition to Moraes, is composed of Cristiano Zanin, Luiz Fux, Cármen Lúcia and Flávio Dino. 

The defendants in Unit 1 of the coup plot are charged with five crimes, the combined sentences of which can exceed 40 years in prison. They are: membership in an armed criminal organization, violently attacking the democratic rule of law, coup d'état, causing damage qualified by violence and serious threat, and damaging a listed federal heritage site.