Brazil Ex-Defence Minister Arrested In Coup Plot Investigation

Brazilian authorities arrested former Defence Minister Braga Netto on Saturday, a close ally of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, on suspicion of obstructing an investigation into an alleged coup attempt in 2022, according to a police source cited by AFP.

The Federal Police confirmed that they had detained individuals involved in obstructing the investigation, with Netto’s arrest being part of the operation.

In late November, a police report recommended the indictment of Bolsonaro and several dozen of his allies for their role in attempting to overthrow the government and prevent the inauguration of leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Netto, who was also Bolsonaro’s running mate in the 2022 elections, was named in the report.

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Attorney General Paulo Gonet is reviewing the allegations to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to pursue charges against Bolsonaro and the 36 other individuals implicated as co-conspirators.

The comprehensive 884-page report, compiled after nearly two years of investigation, calls for Bolsonaro and his allies to be indicted for their involvement in planning the coup attempt and their efforts to “violently overthrow the democratic state.”

The report outlines alleged coordination between Bolsonaro and certain officials, including military figures, to falsely claim election fraud in the 2022 presidential race and to bypass the Supreme Court using decrees.

“It is clear that then-President Jair Bolsonaro was directly involved in the creation of the coup plan, contributing to the drafting of documents and strategies aimed at remaining in power despite his electoral defeat,” the report states.

The document also alleges that Bolsonaro was aware of a plan by elite military units to assassinate Lula, his vice president, and a Supreme Court judge. The plan, referred to as “Green and Yellow Dagger,” was reportedly discussed at Braga Netto’s home.

Investigators also found a draft of the coup plan at the headquarters of Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party among the personal items of one of Netto’s advisors.