Braslia: Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has been accused of being the main actor behind 'the most serious actions to destroy the democratic constitutional order,' according to an indictment.
According to Ghana News Agency, a 517-page document from Brazil's Attorney General's Office, submitted to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, also stated: 'In exercising the highest office of the republic, he instrumentalized the state apparatus and deliberately carried out a sustained system of attacks on public institutions and the succession process.'
The right-wing populist is on trial for allegedly planning a coup attempt against the government of his successor, Luiz In¡cio Lula da Silva, following his 2022 election defeat. A decision on whether Bolsonaro and his co-defendants will be convicted or acquitted is expected in September.
Bolsonaro has denied all accusations, stating on X, 'All accusations are false. I have never violated democracy or the constitution,' even before the Attorney General presented the final charges. He described the trial as a 'witch hunt,' echoing a term used by former US President Donald Trump last week when he expressed support for his South American ally.
In response to the judicial actions against Bolsonaro, Trump announced that, starting August 1, he would impose a 50% import tariff on products from Brazil. Brazilian President Lula has countered by signing a decree invoking the so-called Reciprocity Law, which allows countermeasures in the event of trade restrictions by other countries.
