Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022) stated this Sunday that he does not intend to leave Brazil in light of the possibility of being sentenced to prison. This decision comes after the formal accusation filed by Attorney General Paulo Gonet regarding his alleged involvement in an attempted coup, among other crimes.
"I will not leave Brazil," Bolsonaro expressed during an event held on Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro. The former president explained that he faces the risk of a 28-year prison sentence if the Supreme Federal Court (STF) decides to initiate a trial against him on March 25, at the request of the Attorney General of the Republic.
Bolsonaro, also the leader of the Liberal Party and a former military officer, is accused along with 33 other close individuals of planning a coup at the end of 2022 to prevent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from assuming a new presidential term. Lula da Silva defeated Bolsonaro in the 2022 elections to obtain a third term.
The former Brazilian president has been indicated to have been informed by military personnel and former close ministers about an alleged plan to carry out an attack against Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and STF Judge Alexandre de Moraes. Bolsonaro is unable to participate in the 2026 presidential elections after being convicted by electoral justice for using his position in 2022 to report a non-existent electoral fraud and flaws in Brazil's electronic voting system.
During the event, Bolsonaro was accompanied by four governors, requesting an amnesty law for more than 1,000 supporters who were convicted for the alleged attempted coup in Brazil and for vandalistic acts by invading and damaging public buildings in Brasília on January 8, 2023.
