### Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro Accused of Coup Plot

In a sweeping move against an alleged conspiracy to subvert Brazil's democratic order, federal police have charged former President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 associates with crimes including plotting a coup. The police confirmed that this long-term investigation aimed to unveil a conspiracy targeting the constitutional government structure.

The charges were sent to Brazil's supreme court, detailing the involvement of Bolsonaro, who governed from 2018 until the end of 2022, his former spy chief Alexandre Ramagem, and several ex-cabinet members. Notable figures include former defense ministers Gen Walter Braga Netto and Gen Paulo Sérgio Nogueira de Oliveira, ex-justice minister Anderson Torres, and former institutional security minister Gen Augusto Heleno. Additionally, Adm Almir Garnier Santos, Bolsonaro’s party president Valdemar Costa Neto, and top foreign policy adviser Filipe Martins were implicated.

The accused also list a right-wing blogger related to Gen João Baptista Figueiredo, a notorious figure from Brazil's 1964-85 military dictatorship. This crackdown comes shortly after law enforcement arrested five suspects linked to a plot to assassinate Bolsonaro's successor, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin. The alleged assassination plan included targeting Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes.

Federal police discovered vital evidence through plea bargains and examinations of financial records, internet data, and phone communications. General Mario Fernandes, linked to the "Green and Yellow Dagger" assassination plot, was included among the 37 people accused of the coup attempt. Lula, the 79-year-old left-wing leader, recently expressed relief that the attempt on his life had failed.

Bolsonaro, currently in the United States, denied any involvement in the 2022 election plot, stating he would review the investigation details with his lawyer. Prominent named individuals like Braga Netto and Heleno chose not to comment immediately.

This alleged conspiracy surfaced during the tense conclusion of Bolsonaro's presidency, especially after his narrow defeat to Lula in the 2022 election's second round. Leading up to the crucial vote, nearly a million citizens signed a manifesto warning of potential threats to democracy. Following his defeat, Bolsonaro left for the US while his supporters demanded military intervention in vain.

The situation boiled over on January 8, 2023, when Bolsonaro's radical supporters stormed government buildings in Brasília, demonstrating significant unrest. Despite nearing two years into Lula's administration, tensions persist, marked by a recent incident involving a Bolsonaro party member's fatal attempt to bomb the supreme court. This individual’s trailer contained a cap with Bolsonaro's movement slogan, "Brazil above everything. God above all."