Supporters pray in front of the residence of former President Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest. Yonhap News. 

The trial for the former Brazilian president, accused of plotting a coup, which has drawn significant international attention as a trigger for escalating trade disputes between the United States and Brazil, has entered its final deliberation stage.

On the 2nd (local time), the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court announced that it would hold a hearing at its Brasília courthouse to deliver a verdict for the case involving eight defendants, including former President Jair Bolsonaro, 70, who faces charges of coup plotting, organizing an armed criminal organization, and aggravated injury.

Brazilian Federal Supreme Court building where the hearing for former President Jair Bolsonaro's case was held on the 2nd (local time). Yonhap News.  "The eight defendants have been identified by the prosecution as playing pivotal roles in this case," the court emphasized. "Starting today, we will listen to the oral arguments from the defense over five sessions, including the 3rd, 9th, 10th, and 12th, followed by a vote by the justices to determine guilt or innocence."

This criminal case, related to the president's undermining of the constitutional order, is being directly heard by the Federal Supreme Court, in accordance with the Brazilian Constitution.

The Brazilian Supreme Court has 11 justices, with 10 justices, excluding the Chief Justice, divided into two chambers (minor benches) of five justices each. The case of former President Bolsonaro is being handled by the First Chamber, to which Justice Alexandre de Moraes, 56, belongs.

In a meeting broadcast nationwide through the Brazilian Judiciary's television and radio channels (TV Justiça, Rádio Justiça) on this day, Justice de Moraes, the presiding judge for this case, stated, "We must not confuse the restoration of peace with cowardly appeasement, which means avoiding punishment or condoning it," adding, "Immunity may seem like the easiest path, but it ultimately erodes democracy."

He further emphasized, "In this case, which the whole world is watching, we, the justices, will not yield to coercion that could undermine fairness and independence," and asserted, "National sovereignty cannot be insulted or be subject to negotiation, and it will never be coerced."

These remarks appear to be directed at U.S. President Donald Trump and Bolsonaro's associates who are staying in the United States.

President Trump, who has not hidden his close relationship with former President Bolsonaro, has called the judicial proceedings in Brazil a "witch hunt" and has sparked controversy over interference in internal affairs by imposing a 50% tariff on Brazilian products.

Eduardo Bolsonaro, 41, the son of former President Bolsonaro, is known to be lobbying the Trump administration in the United States to assist his father.

The former Brazilian president, Bolsonaro, a former military officer, has been indicted on charges of plotting a military coup and planning the assassination of the current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 79, who won the October 2022 election, along with his close associates, including former Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto, 68.

The indictment also includes allegations of planning to establish an emergency body to create a "new order" by seizing full control of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

If found guilty, former President Bolsonaro could face a prison sentence of up to 40 years, according to local media outlet GloboTV.

The former president, Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest with an electronic ankle monitor, did not attend the hearing on this day due to "health reasons," according to his lawyer.

Local media reported that Bolsonaro's supporters planned to hold protests in cities like Brasília and São Paulo to condemn the Supreme Court.

Yonhap News