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2w ago

Bolsonaro Asks Brazil’s Supreme Court to Acquit Him as Trial Moves to Deliberation

A five-justice panel will decide Bolsonaro’s fate this year following closing arguments with the former president held under house arrest.

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Demonstrators rally in support of former President Jair Bolsonaro at the entrance to his residential complex, to denounce his house arrest order by the Supreme Court, in Brasília, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
Supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro participate in a caravan to protest his house arrest order by the Supreme Court, while passing an electronic billboard with his image, Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, in Brasilia, Brazil. (AP Photo/Luis Nova)
Former Brazil far-right president Jair Bolsonaro (L) is accused of plotting a coup in a trial overseen by Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes (R)

Overview

  • Bolsonaro’s defence submitted a 197-page closing brief on Aug. 13–14 arguing that no credible evidence links him to an armed plot to overturn the 2022 election and noting he allowed the presidential transition to proceed.
  • Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet presented final arguments in July based on handwritten notes, digital files, message exchanges, spreadsheets and plea-bargain testimony from former aide Mauro Cid.
  • Justice Alexandre de Moraes placed Bolsonaro under house arrest on Aug. 5 for violating court-imposed restrictions on his public communications and monitoring his social media posts.
  • A panel of five Supreme Court justices will now enter deliberations on charges that carry up to 12 years in prison for attempted coup plus additional time on other counts, with a verdict expected by year’s end.
  • US President Donald Trump has characterized the trial as a “witch hunt” and pressed for Bolsonaro’s release through sanctions on Justice de Moraes and 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports.