Former Bolsonaro Cabinet Minister Arrested in Brazil Over Alleged Coup Plot

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Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's administration has been embroiled in a significant legal saga involving an alleged coup plot to keep Bolsonaro in power after his failed 2022 reelection bid. The latest development in this ongoing investigation is the arrest of General Walter Braga Netto, a prominent member of Bolsonaro's cabinet.

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Braga Netto, who served as Bolsonaro's chief of staff from 2020 to 2021 and as defense minister from 2021 to 2022, was arrested on Saturday on charges of obstructing the collection of evidence. The arrest stems from allegations that Braga Netto tried to interfere with the investigation by attempting to find out what a former Bolsonaro aide, who was also arrested, had disclosed to authorities and whether he had signed a plea bargain.

The broader investigation has implicated Bolsonaro and 36 other individuals, including key figures from his administration. The Federal Police have accused them of orchestrating efforts to subvert Brazil's democracy by attempting to overthrow the incoming government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The plot allegedly involved spreading false narratives about the electoral process and attempting to enlist military officers to support the coup.

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The investigation, which has been ongoing for nearly two years, has relied on evidence gathered through court-authorized wiretaps, digital data access, witness cooperation agreements, and other materials. The Federal Police's final report, spanning over 800 pages, has been submitted to the Supreme Federal Court, which will now seek the opinion of the Attorney General’s Office before deciding whether to proceed with formal charges and a trial.

Braga Netto's arrest is part of a larger crackdown on those involved in the alleged coup plot, which has already seen multiple arrests and formal accusations against high-ranking officials and political figures. This legal turmoil underscores the deep political divisions in Brazil and the ongoing challenges to its democratic institutions.