Bolsonaro denies involvement in coup plot, apologizes to Supreme Court

Former president Jair Bolsonaro was interrogated on Tuesday (Jun. 10) as part of the criminal case investigating a coup plot. He is one of eight defendants named in nucleus 1 of the complaint filed by the Attorney General’s Office against those accused of plotting unconstitutional actions to overturn the 2022 election results and prevent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office.

The interrogation was conducted by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the Supreme Court rapporteur for the case.

According to the prosecution, Bolsonaro was aware of the draft coup plan, which called for declaring a state of siege and the arrest of Supreme Court justices and other authorities.

The accusations were further corroborated by the plea bargain testimony of Bolsonaro’s former aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid.

Below are some excerpts from Bolsonaro’s testimony:

Coup d’état

When asked about accusations that he had planned unconstitutional measures to overturn the 2022 election results and prevent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office, the former president said the possibility of a coup d’état was never discussed during his government.

According to him, the measure would be harmful to Brazil.

“For my part, there has never been any talk of a coup. A coup is abominable. Starting a coup may be easy, but the aftermath is unpredictable and damaging for everyone. Brazil could not go through such an experience. The possibility of a coup was never even considered during my government,” he said.

Over two consecutive days of hearings, the eight defendants accused of participating in the “crucial nucleus” of a coup plot were questioned. The interrogation of the defendants is one of the final stages of the criminal proceedings. – Valter Campanato/Agência Brasil

Coup draft

Bolsonaro also denied having drafted a coup to justify military intervention following the 2022 elections.

On Monday (9), Bolsonaro’s former aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid, was interrogated by Moraes as a whistleblower. He stated that the former president witnessed the presentation of the coup document, edited the original text, and proposed changes to include the possibility of arresting justices, including Moraes.

“The claim that I edited the document is not true. From what I know, it lacks a heading and a closing section,” he said. “As for me, I have always stood by the Constitution. I reject any suggestion of a coup draft or any document not grounded in the Constitution,” he added.

Navy troops

When questioned by Justice Moraes about whether former Navy commander Almir Garnier had made troops available to implement coup measures, Bolsonaro stated that the information is unfounded.

“Under no circumstances. Such a thing does not exist. If we were to implement a state of siege and defense, the measures would be different. There was no atmosphere, no opportunity, and no solid basis to take any such action,” the former president said.

The Federal Police investigation alleges that the admiral offered his troops to Bolsonaro during a 2022 meeting with the commanders of the Armed Forces. At the meeting, Bolsonaro presented plans to decree a state of siege and launch an operation to guarantee law and order, aiming to prevent Lula’s inauguration.

Apology

The former president also apologized after being questioned about statements in which he claimed, without evidence, that Supreme Court justices were receiving money to rig the electoral process.

“There is no evidence. I’m sorry, I didn’t intend to accuse you of any misconduct,” he stated.

Electronic ballot boxes

At another point in his testimony, Bolsonaro was questioned by Moraes about statements in which the former president delegitimized the electoral process and insinuated fraud in the electronic voting system.

In response, Bolsonaro stated that he had always advocated for printed ballots but had never engaged in any unconstitutional actions.

“At no time did I act against the Constitution. I always played within the rules. I was often angry, I said bad words, I said things I shouldn’t have. In my opinion, I did what needed to be done,” he said.

Bolsonaro noted that there was no pressure on then-Defense Minister Paulo Sergio Nogueira to present a report to the Superior Electoral Court suggesting that fraud in the electronic ballot boxes could not be ruled out.

“I never put pressure on him. There was no pressure on him to do this or that,” he said.

Arrest warrant

Bolsonaro said that he had not been formally notified of an arrest by former army commander Freire Gomes during a 2022 meeting with the commanders of the Armed Forces regarding the troops’ involvement in the coup attempt.

“The Armed Forces have always excelled in discipline and hierarchy. What Brigadier Baptista Júnior said is unfounded, especially since it was denied by the army commander himself. If someone else had been responsible for carrying out such a ridiculous plan, I would have replaced the Air Force commander,” he stated.

The statement contradicts former Aeronautics commander Baptista Júnior, who attended the meeting and told the Federal Police that the threat to arrest Bolsonaro occurred during the meeting.

The interrogation was conducted by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the Supreme Court rapporteur for the case – Valter Campanato/Agência Brasil

Testimonies

Over two consecutive days of hearings, the eight defendants accused of participating in the “crucial nucleus” of a coup plot were questioned. The interrogation of the defendants is one of the final stages of the criminal proceedings.

The trial, which will determine the conviction or acquittal of the former president and the other defendants, is expected to occur in the second half of this year.