Senate: Complaint against Bolsonaro must be treated legally
Senate and National Congress President Davi Alcolumbre stated that the Attorney General's complaint against former President Jair Bolsonaro and 33 others for an attempted coup d’état should be handled strictly within legal channels, without politicizing the parliamentary environment.
“The country does not need radicalism. This matter will be handled within the legal framework set by the judiciary, with caution. The goal is for the process to proceed as impartially as possible, in accordance with due process, and I have great confidence in the Brazilian judiciary to ensure that. This should not be turned into a political matter, and I will not allow that,” Alcolumbre said, according to a Senate news agency report on Wednesday (Feb. 19).
Following the Attorney General's complaint, allies of former President Jair Bolsonaro in Congress stepped up efforts to push for a bill granting amnesty to those involved in the January 8, 2023, attacks. On that day, Bolsonaro supporters stormed government headquarters in Brasília, calling for a military coup in Brazil.
“We trust that the judiciary will handle this matter within the framework of Brazilian law, with impartiality and caution. This should not be turned into a political process,” he added.
The Attorney General's complaint alleges that former President Jair Bolsonaro led a coup plot to stay in power despite his 2022 election defeat. The plan reportedly included assassinating President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
The accused deny the allegations, claiming they are victims of political persecution. In a statement, former President Jair Bolsonaro’s defense expressed being “appalled and outraged” by the charges. Lawyer Paulo Cunha Bueno stated that Bolsonaro “never supported any movement aimed at dismantling the democratic rule of law or its institutions.”
According to the Senate news agency, Alcolumbre clarified to the press that the Senate is not discussing a bill to grant amnesty to those involved in the January 8, 2023, attacks.
