The defense team of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro argued before the Supreme Court that there is no evidence linking him to the January 8 riots or the alleged coup plot. Lawyer Celso Vilardi maintained that Bolsonaro was unfairly implicated in the investigation led by the Federal Police.
Defense Denies Evidence of Involvement
Speaking on the second day of the trial, Vilardi stated that Bolsonaro “did not attempt to undermine the democratic rule of law.” He emphasized that the prosecution’s case rests largely on a plea bargain and a draft document found on the phone of a cooperating witness. “What followed from the police inquiry to the prosecutor’s indictment is an unbelievable succession of events,” he told the Court.
Contested Draft Plans
The investigation refers to alleged coup plans titled Punhal Verde e Amarelo (“Green and Yellow Dagger”), which included threats against government officials, and Operation Luneta (“Telescope”), reportedly aimed at detaining Supreme Court ministers. Vilardi stressed that there is no evidence tying Bolsonaro to either plan or to the January 8 attacks on government headquarters in Brasília.
Questioning Mauro Cid’s Testimony
Central to the prosecution’s case is the testimony of Mauro Cid, Bolsonaro’s former aide and whistle-blower. Vilardi dismissed Cid as “unreliable,” claiming that the lieutenant colonel repeatedly altered his statements during interrogations. He further argued that such contradictions undermine the validity of Cid’s plea bargain.
Complaints Over Access to Evidence
The defense also criticized procedural issues, saying it lacked access to essential evidence and was not given adequate time to review the “billions of documents” collected by investigators. “We were not afforded the same time or access as the prosecution and Federal Police,” Vilardi said.
Trial of Bolsonaro and Allies Underway
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court’s first panel began hearings against Bolsonaro and seven close allies over the alleged coup plot. They are among the principal defendants named in the prosecutor-general’s formal complaint. The trial marks a critical step in determining accountability for the January 8 unrest that shook Brazil’s democratic institutions.
