Lula upholds presumption of innocence for coup attempt suspects
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Wednesday (Feb. 19) asserted that former President Jair Bolsonaro is entitled to the presumption of innocence and the right to a full defense.
On Tuesday (18), Brazil’s Attorney General's Office indicted Bolsonaro and 33 others in the Federal Supreme Court for attempted coup d'état, violent subversion of democratic rule of law, and criminal conspiracy, in a bid to prevent President Lula from serving his third term.
"The only thing I can say is that in this country, as long as I govern Brazil, everyone has the right to the presumption of innocence," Lula said at a press conference at the Planalto presidential palace following a meeting with Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. The two countries signed 19 agreements during Montenegro’s official visit.
Bolsonaro's defense rejects the accusations, asserting that the former president "has never supported any movement aimed at undermining the democratic rule of law or the institutions that uphold it." The prosecution's claims are based on the Federal Police investigation.
Lula emphasized that the Attorney General's complaint is merely the first step in the criminal process. "If they prove they didn't attempt a coup, and if they prove they didn't try to assassinate the president, the vice president, and the Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, they will be free citizens and able to travel across Brazil. However, if the judge concludes they are guilty, they will have to answer for the mistake they made," Lula stated.
"So, this is just the indictment. The case will now proceed to the Supreme Court, where they will have every right to defend themselves," he added.
War in Ukraine
President Lula also addressed the war between Russia and Ukraine, criticizing US President Donald Trump's attempt to negotiate an end to the conflict solely with the Russians, excluding Ukrainian and European Union representatives. Lula emphasized that “both sides should sit down at the table” and reaffirmed that “Brazil will not send troops; Brazil will only send a peace mission.”
“We’re tired of saying it: there’s no peace unless both sides are called to the table. Peace cannot be achieved with just one side. Brazil and China have developed a protocol to seek a way to make peace. This protocol was discussed with many countries, but it seems to me that people didn’t give it much attention. Now, Trump wins the election and starts talking to Putin. And suddenly, some are concerned that Trump must involve Zelensky in the negotiations, as only Putin is currently negotiating. I think that’s wrong too,” said Lula.
