Bousoanrou looking outward from his residence on the 2nd (local time). AFP=Yonhap News. Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (70) has consecutively missed court hearings in a case related to allegations of plotting a coup.

The trial, scheduled to take place over five sessions until next week, is expected to proceed in the absence of former President Bolsonaro.

The Federal Supreme Court of Brazil issued a press release on the 3rd (local time) stating, "Today, the First Panel of the Supreme Court continued the trial for the eight defendants identified by the prosecution as the 'core group' in the coup plot case, following yesterday (the 2nd)," and announced that oral arguments from the defense side would be heard three more times.

The Brazilian Supreme Court had previously set the trial dates for September 2, 3, 9, 10, and 12. This criminal case, concerning the undermining of the constitutional order by the president, is being directly heard by the Supreme Court in accordance with the Brazilian Constitution.

Similar to the previous day, former President Bolsonaro did not appear in court today.

Lawyer Ceuso Bissard, representing former President Bolsonaro, stated, "My client (Bolsonaro) is unable to appear in court for health reasons," and provided the reason for his absence to the court.

Local media outlet G1 reported that former President Bolsonaro is likely to remain absent from court for the remaining hearings.

By order of the Supreme Court, former President Bolsonaro is under house arrest at his residence in Brasília, equipped with an electronic tracking device. He is also under 24-hour surveillance by police officers stationed outside his home.

He has been indicted on charges including plotting a military coup and 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).

He is also accused of planning the establishment of an emergency body to establish a 'new order' by seizing full control of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and of instigating the riots on January 8, 2023, in protest of the election results. 

Police deployed around the Federal Supreme Court of Brazil on the 3rd (local time). AP=Yonhap News. During his defense arguments today, lawyer Bissard stated, "The prosecution has not proven a single piece of evidence that can be considered proof of guilt against former President Bolsonaro," and argued, "It is clear that former President Bolsonaro merely discussed decisions and did not, for a single moment, initiate the implementation of unconstitutional measures."

All arguments today were broadcast live through .

The trial of former President Bolsonaro, intertwined with allegations of electoral fraud by Bolsonaro's supporters, violent incidents reminiscent of the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack, and the upcoming presidential election next year, is drawing increased attention to its verdict.

Furthermore, US President Donald Trump (79), who openly expresses his closeness to former President Bolsonaro, has drawn international attention by calling this trial a "witch hunt" and imposing a 50% tariff on Brazilian products.

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