Former Brazilian Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto was detained and arrested – the army confirmed earlier reports in the case. Netto, an associate of former President Jair Bolsonaro, was arrested on charges of preparing a coup after the 2022 elections.
The Brazilian army confirmed the information that the former defense minister was detained and arrested on charges of planning a coup after the 2022 elections.
Retired general Braga Netto was the head of Jair Bolsonaro's cabinet when he ruled the country and ran with him as a vice-presidential candidate in the elections two years ago, which were won by left-wing politician Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Searches
Earlier, federal police had earlier announced the execution of an arrest warrant, two searches and other preventive measures against people suspected of obstructing the investigation. The statement did not reveal the identity of the arrested person, but according to Reuters sources, it was Walter Braga Netto.
Reuters reported, citing its own sources, that the searches took place at Braga Netto's residence in Rio de Janeiro.
Walter Braga NettoJoédson Alves/PAP
In November, police formally charged Bolsonaro, Braga Netto and 35 other supporters of the former president with involvement in a coup plot. Investigators determined that there was a “criminal organization that acted in a coordinated manner to keep the then president in power.”
Charges
According to a later declassified investigation report submitted to the Supreme Court, the police have evidence that Bolsonaro took an active part in the conspiracy and was informed about the plan to murder Lula before he took office. The decision to formally indict Bolsonaro will be made by the prosecutor's office.
The police allegations were made after almost two years of speculation about Bolsonaro's role in challenging the election results and the riots that his supporters caused in the capital Brasilia in January 2023, a week after Lula's inauguration.
Main photo source: Joédson Alves/PAP