Does Bolsonaro Deserve a Fair Trial for His Alleged Coup?

Sao Paulo, Sep 3 (NationPress) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has affirmed that his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro is entitled to a fair trial regarding his alleged attempt to overthrow the government in a bid to retain power after his loss in the 2022 reelection.

If found guilty of this alleged coup attempt, Bolsonaro and his associates could serve up to 43 years in prison.

"My hope is that justice prevails, honoring the principle of presumption of innocence. I wish for myself and all my adversaries the same right," Lula stated on Tuesday as proceedings commenced at the Supreme Federal Court, Brazil's highest judicial authority.

The president emphasized that Bolsonaro has the opportunity to defend himself—a privilege that Lula did not have during his 2018 incarceration on corruption allegations, a case later annulled due to its politically charged nature, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.

"Bolsonaro has the chance to mount a defense, unlike my situation. I didn’t lodge complaints or display distress," Lula remarked to reporters in Sao Paulo.

Earlier in August, Brazil's Supreme Court mandated continuous surveillance of former President Bolsonaro amid concerns he might attempt to escape house arrest before his trial's verdict.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes, overseeing the case, approved a request from federal prosecutors after indicating that Bolsonaro might seek asylum in a foreign embassy. Currently, he is under house arrest in Brasilia, the nation's capital.

Moraes pointed out that actions taken by Bolsonaro's son, lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, who is in the United States lobbying against the trial and advocating for congressional amnesty, indicate a potential plan for Jair Messias Bolsonaro to flee to avoid legal repercussions.

On July 18, a Brazilian Supreme Federal Court justice imposed stringent legal restrictions on both Jair Bolsonaro and his son for charges including coercion, obstruction of justice, and threats to national sovereignty.

Justice Moraes outlined that the measures include nightly house arrest during weekdays, full-time house arrest on weekends and holidays, wearing an electronic monitoring device, and prohibiting any contact with foreign diplomats or visits to embassies, as stated in a supreme court press release.

According to the release, the former president and his son sought sanctions against Brazilian officials while in the United States.

The justice affirmed that Brazil's sovereignty is non-negotiable, reiterating the supreme court's commitment to uphold democratic and constitutional values.