Brasília, (EFE).- Mauro Cid, a former aide to Brazil’s ex-president Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2023), confirmed Monday before the Supreme Court that the far-right leader discussed with military commanders ways to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election to remain in power.
Cid, who is cooperating with the Federal Police in an ongoing investigation against Bolsonaro, testified that the former president’s advisors presented him with a draft decree that called for declaring a state of defense and siege, and for the arrest of several Supreme Court justices.
The meeting reportedly occurred after the second round of the 2022 elections.
According to Cid, Bolsonaro ordered the document to be “cut down” and shortened the list of officials to be arrested.
The only name Bolsonaro insisted on keeping in the draft was Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is also the lead judge in the case against him, Cid said.
Cid further revealed that days later, a revised version of the document was presented to the commanders of the Armed Forces during a meeting led by Bolsonaro at the official presidential residence in Brasília.
“The decree stated what should be done, but not how it would be executed,” Cid told Justice Moraes during the hearing.
Internal military divisions
Cid testified that Army Commander Marco Antônio Freire Gomes was “deeply disturbed” by the discussion and recounted his reaction after a later meeting.
According to Cid, Freire Gomes told him that Navy Chief iral Almir Garnier had offered troops to Bolsonaro, while Air Force Commander Baptista Júnior opposed the plan.
He also said that Bolsonaro faced pressure from some military officers to sign the decree annulling the elections and that replacing the Army commander with someone “more radical” was openly discussed.
“There was pressure to adopt a harder line. Some believed the current commander was not aligned with the necessary actions,” Cid said, according to the court record.
Legal proceedings advance
Bolsonaro and six of his close allies, including former Defense Minister Paulo Sérgio Nogueira and former vice-presidential candidate Walter Braga Netto, are expected to testify later this week.
Following this round of hearings, Justice Moraes will consult with federal prosecutors and defense attorneys to determine whether further investigations or interrogations are needed, or if the case will proceed to final arguments.
The accused are being investigated for a range of serious crimes, including attempting to abolish the democratic rule of law by force, conspiracy to stage a coup, armed criminal association, and destruction of public property.
If convicted on all counts, they could face up to 40 years in prison. EFE
jmc/seo
