Trial of former Brazilian President Bolsonaro on coup charges set to begin
More than 80 people -- including high-ranking military officers, former government ministers and police and intelligence officials -- are to testify in a preliminary trial phase expected to last at least two weeks.
Bolsonaro could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted of plotting to remain in office after leftist rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had narrowly defeated him in the October 2022 elections.
Prosecutors say he led a "criminal organisation" planning to declare a state of emergency so new elections could be held.
The 70-year-old politician is already banned from seeking office until 2030 over his baseless criticism of Brazil's electronic voting system.
He also stands accused of being aware of a plot to assassinate Lula, his vice president Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes -- a Bolsonaro foe and one of the judges hearing the current case.
Bolsonaro has always denied any role in a coup attempt, blaming the charges on "political persecution."
Last week he told the Uol site that prosecutors were fabricating a "telenovela scenario," a reference to the melodramatic TV soap operas popular in Latin America.
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