Verdict approaches in Bolsonaro coup plot trial at Brazil’s Supreme Court

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's court case began this Tuesday. A panel of Supreme Court judges is expected to decide this week whether Bolsonaro is guilty of plotting to overturn Brazil’s democracy and remain in power after losing the 2022 election.

The panel, led by chairman Cristiano Zanin and consisting of five judges, began by reviewing final requests from the parties. It is expected to meet every day until Friday.

The far-right ex-president, who did not attend the session, is facing five counts at trial for allegedly conspiring to stage a coup, following his narrow loss to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a left-wing leader who first became president twenty years earlier.

Two judges voted for conviction before proceedings were adjourned until Wednesday. Three more must cast their votes.

Crisis between US and Brazil looming

Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, calling it a politically motivated move, and himself the victim of a “witch hunt,” using the same expression as US President Donald Trump in defending his right-wing ally.

Trump has directly tied a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods to his ally’s judicial situation and is expected to be closely watching the trial outcome. A guilty verdict is widely expected to trigger a major crisis between the two countries.

On Sunday, tens of thousands of Bolsonaro supporters took to the streets, illustrating that the case of the former president has deeply divided the country.

Bolsonaro's five charges are attempting to stage a coup, involvement in an armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law and two counts involving destruction of state property.

A guilty verdict on the coup plot charge alone carries a sentence of up to 12 years.

If one of the justices requests a longer review, the verdict could be delayed for up to 90 days, but court experts have said that’s unlikely.