Former Brazilian dictator Jair Bolsonaro ‘s trial started this week in the Brazilian capital. Prosecutors allege that Bolsonaro abused his power as President by using government media channels to promote his campaign. If found guilty, Bolsonaro stands to be banned from public office for at least 8 consecutive years.
In a wide-ranging cased filed by the Democratic Labour Party, former Prez Jair Bolsonaro is preparing to learn his fate and where his political future stands. In the case, the labour party accused Bolsonaro of previously abusing his power as President by unlawfully using government media channels to shill his campaign but also to help cast doubt on the country’s voting system. Essentially, a page right out of Donald Trump ‘s playbook.
In an initial hearing that lasted about 3 hours, Bolsonaro ‘s legal team maintains that the case against him is littered with several falsehoods. Thursday’s polarizing session in the capital, Brasília, began when Judge Benedito Gonçalves completed reading the report on the case. Bolsonaro’s lawyer, Tarcísio Vieira de Carvalho, told judges the case was “riddled with ideological falsehood.”
In comments to reporters following the high stakes day, Bolsonaro acknowledged according to NBC that he could be barred from public office but maintained he did nothing wrong.