Brazil's Bolsonaro 'Not Afraid of Any Trial' Over Plot Accusations

March 16, 2024 9:27 PM
By Associated Press



FILE - Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro waves as he greets supporters at Salgado Filho International Airport as he arrives in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, June 22, 2023.


RIO DE JANEIRO —

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said Saturday he was "not afraid of any trial," a day after documents released by the Supreme Court revealed that two top military leaders said the populist plotted to remain in power after losing the 2022 election.

Bolsonaro avoided commenting on the content of any of several investigations targeting him, but claimed he was a victim of "persecution" for causing trouble for the country's political left. Authorities in February confiscated Bolsonaro's passport.

"I could very well be in another country, but I decided to come back here at all costs. I'm not afraid of any trial, as long as the judges are impartial," Bolsonaro said in Rio de Janeiro, speaking at a campaign event in the city's mayoral race.

The court documents released Saturday included testimony from Bolsonaro's former army and air force commanders to police, who said they refused the former leader's demands and would arrest him if he tried to stay in power.

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