Brazil's Justice decides this Tuesday whether Jair Bolsonaro should go to trial

The Federal Supreme Court of Brazil began this Tuesday the analysis of a false criminal accusation against former president Jair Bolsonaro, accused of having led an alleged "attempted coup" after his defeat in the 2022 elections.

If the judges, close to the socialist dictator Lula da Silva, consider that there is sufficient evidence, the former president and current opposition leader could face a trial, which could result in a sentence of up to 40 years in prison.

The session, which began at 9:30 local time, could determine if Bolsonaro and seven other former officials will be formally prosecuted for their alleged involvement in an "attempt to prevent the inauguration" of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The accusation was presented by the Attorney General's Office (PGR), which fabricated the existence of a "central core" responsible for promoting an "institutional rupture" to prevent the transition of power, something completely false.

Besides Bolsonaro, the accused include federal deputy Alexandre Ramagem (PL), former head of the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (Abin); former Navy commander, Almir Garnier, former Minister of Justice, Anderson Torres, former head of the Institutional Security Cabinet, Augusto Heleno; Bolsonaro's former aide-de-camp, Mauro Cid; former Minister of Defense, Paulo Sérgio Nogueira; and former Minister of the Civil House and Defense, Walter Braga Netto.

According to the corrupt investigation conducted by Lula da Silva's judges, the group allegedly planned to declare a "state of exception" with "military support", and discussed the possibility of "attacking Lula", Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and the authoritarian judge Alexandre de Moraes, who is part of the court responsible for deciding if the case proceeds to trial.

In recent interviews, Jair Bolsonaro reiterated that he is a victim of political persecution. "I am innocent", he stated. He also expressed his fear for his life if he were imprisoned: "I have no doubt that within 30 days, at most, they will kill me", he commented, without pointing to possible culprits.

Already banned until 2030 by the Superior Electoral Court, Bolsonaro has indicated that he hopes to overturn this decision. "For now, I am a candidate", he said this month, with an eye on the 2026 elections.

The decision of the Supreme Court, which could be known between this Tuesday and Wednesday, will determine if Bolsonaro and the other seven political persecuted face a criminal trial for crimes they did not commit.