Brazil Supreme Court resumes hearings on Bolsonaro coup attempt case

The Supreme Federal Court (STF) resumed on Monday, 26 May, the hearings of the case that tries former President Jair Bolsonaro and seven allies for an alleged coup attempt and related crimes after the 2022 elections. Ten defense witnesses linked to former General Augusto Heleno were called, including General Carlos Penteado, former health minister Marcelo Queiroga and others.

Earlier testimony from the prosecution’s witnesses began on 19 May, followed by defense witnesses for Bolsonaro’s aide Mauro Cid, deputy Alexandre Ramagem, General Heleno, former Navy commander Almir Garnier and others. This week the court will also hear former Justice Minister Anderson Torres and Bolsonaro himself. The hearings are scheduled to conclude on 2 June, after which written final arguments will be submitted within 15 days, followed by the defendants’ interrogations. The panel, chaired by President Cristiano Zanin and relayed by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, is expected to deliver a judgment in September‑October.