Thousands of people gathered at Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach on Sunday to show support for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro amid allegations of orchestrating a plot to undermine democracy post-2022 election loss.
Accusations against the ex-army captain and key allies will be reviewed by a five-judge panel at Brazil's Supreme Court on March 25, potentially turning them into defendants. Bolsonaro and his representatives have denied any wrongdoing, stating, "The President never condoned any movement aimed at dismantling democratic rule or its supporting institutions."
Last month, Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet filed charges against Bolsonaro, a seasoned politician with almost three decades in Congress, accusing him of leading a criminal group attempting to subvert democracy, including a purported plan to harm President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Bolsonaro's successor.
During the gathering, supporters demanded amnesty for those accused shortly after Lula da Silva's inauguration. Voices like Monica Alves emphasized the innocence of the participants, while Alessandra Mello argued for the restoration of freedom of expression.
Bolsonaro expressed confidence in a proposed bill seeking amnesty for the involved individuals, insisting they were unknowingly led astray. Political scientist Paulo Kramer noted Bolsonaro's renewed focus on engaging with voters directly amidst legal challenges, acknowledging a tough road in the Supreme Court due to opposition among the justices.
The Brazilian Superior Electoral Court has banned Bolsonaro from running for office until 2030, though he aims to run in 2026. Despite public demonstrations, experts like Thiago de Aragão remain skeptical that these actions will influence court decisions in Bolsonaro's favor.