Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has taken the stand in a landmark trial before the country’s Supreme Court, firmly denying allegations that he orchestrated a coup to overturn the 2022 election results.
The testimony, delivered on June 10, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in Brazil’s democratic history, as Bolsonaro and seven close allies face charges that could carry prison sentences of up to 40 years.
The charges stem from a two-year investigation into efforts to prevent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from assuming office.
Prosecutors allege that Bolsonaro and his inner circle devised a multi-step plan to declare a state of emergency, annul the election, and arrest key judicial figures—including Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is now presiding over the case.
During his two-hour testimony, Bolsonaro acknowledged attending meetings where alternatives to accepting the election outcome were discussed, including the possibility of military intervention and suspension of civil liberties.
However, he insisted that these ideas were quickly dismissed and that he never acted outside the bounds of Brazil’s 1988 Constitution. “There was never any talk of a coup,” he told the court. “A coup is an abominable thing.”
Central to the prosecution’s case is a draft decree that would have enabled Bolsonaro to annul the election and arrest opponents. Mauro Cid, Bolsonaro’s former aide turned whistleblower, testified that the former president read and edited the document.
Bolsonaro denied making any changes, claiming he only glanced at it briefly.
The former president also apologized for past accusations against Supreme Court justices, saying, “Forgive me,” in a rare moment of contrition.
He maintained that he is the target of political persecution and reiterated his desire to run in the 2026 presidential election, despite being barred from holding public office until 2030.
The trial has captivated Brazil, with proceedings broadcast live and drawing comparisons to the January 6 Capitol riot in the United States.
Bolsonaro’s supporters, known as “Bolsonaristas,” had stormed government buildings in Brasília in January 2023, urging the military to intervene.
Legal experts describe the trial as a watershed moment for Brazil’s young democracy. It is the first time a former president is being tried for attempting a coup under a democratic regime.
A final ruling is expected by October, and the outcome could reshape Brazil’s political landscape for years to come.
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