Brazil Supreme Court Resumes Bolsonaro Coup Trial

The Supreme Federal Court (STF) resumed hearings on the criminal case against former president Jair Bolsonaro and seven co‑defendants on Monday, 26 May. The trial concerns an alleged attempt to overturn the 2022 election results and related military‑coup planning. Ten defense witnesses linked to retired General Augusto Heleno were called, including former GSI secretary‑executive Carlos Penteado and ex‑Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga, who also testified for former Defence Minister Walter Braga Netto.

The court has already heard prosecutors’ witnesses and continues to schedule testimony from former Justice Minister Anderson Torres and Bolsonaro himself. The hearing phase ends on 2 June, after which written final briefs will be submitted within 15 days. The presiding judges, led by President Cristiano Zanin and rapporteur Alexandre de Moraes, expect to schedule the defendants’ oral interrogation and ultimately deliver a verdict between September and October of this year.