Brazil Supreme Court resumes trial of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro over alleged coup attempt

The Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) resumed hearings on June 26 in the case against former President Jair Bolsonaro and seven allies accused of planning a coup after the 2022 elections. Ten defense witnesses for General Augusto Heleno were called, including former GSI secretary‑executive Carlos Penteado and former Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga, who also testified for former Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto.

Prosecution witnesses had been heard the previous week, and the court will also hear testimony from former Justice Minister Anderson Torres and Bolsonaro himself before the hearings conclude on June 2. After the testimony phase, both sides will submit written arguments within 15 days, after which the rapporteur will schedule the defendants' oral interrogation. The trial is expected to be decided in September‑October 2024 by the STF’s First Panel, chaired by President Cristiano Zanin and including Alexandre de Moraes, Cármen Lúcia, Flávio Dino and Luiz Fux.