The conservative former Brazilian former president, Bolsonaro, said on Sunday that he would not flee the country to avoid the possibility of an arrest ordered by the Supreme Federal Court (STF).
Bolsonaro made his claim in front of thousands of followers at a peaceful rally near Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. The former Brazilian president has been formally indicted February It is said that it poisoned the current radical left-wing president, President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, and was set in a “coup” after a narrow defeat in the 2022 presidential election. STF does so rule On March 25th, we will decide whether Bolsonaro will go to court.
“What they want is certain. If it's 17 years for humble people, that's justifying 28 years for me. I'm not leaving Brazil,” Bolsonaro said. I said.
Watch – Brazilian Confusion: Protesters storm the capital and destroy the Supreme Court and Parliament.
The Sunday event was held by Bolsonaro and other Brazilian politicians and called for pardons for nearly 900 Brazilian men and women who were imprisoned for participating in the January 8, 2023 riots. There were thousands of Bolsonaro supporters that day storm The facilities of Brazil's Parliament, the Supreme Federal Court, and the Planarto Presidential Palace have caused great damage to the facilities, furniture and valuable historical artifacts housed there. There were no deaths during the incident and only minimal injuries were recorded.
Estimates for attendance at a peaceful Copacabana rally It changes Widely throughout Brazilian media. Local outlets such as Poder 360 It has been reported Approximately 26,000 people participated. newspaper oGlobo It has been reported On Sunday, more than 18,300 to 30,000 people participated, according to estimates from different pollers. Meanwhile, the military police in Rio de Janeiro reported that “over 400,000 people” participated.
Poder 360 More farther It has been reported Monday At least 933,000 people watched the event online via YouTube on several different channels, citing measurements obtained from outlets such as Metropole.
During pressing, invoice If approved by Brazilian Parliament, individuals who were arrested or already convicted in the January 8 riot, whether directly involved in the event, would be given pardons.
During the event, Bolsonaro claimed that whether he was “in prison or dead,” it would remain a “problem” for the STF. Former President I insisted For his followers, the bill had enough votes to pass, claiming it would “overturn” President Lula da Silva's potential veto.
“Why are they opposed the left against pardon when they have benefited from pardon throughout history?” Bolsonaro asked his followers.
“I It was In the US [on January 8]. If I had been here, I would have been in prison to this day or maybe they would have killed me. Whether they're imprisoned or dead, I'm a problem for them. But I leave a flame of hope and burn the liberation of our people,” Bolsonaro said.
According to the STF, as of January 8, 2025, 371 individuals have been convicted of a crime related to the events of January 8, 2023, and an agreement has been reached with the Brazilian federal prosecutor's office to ensure that 527 other individuals are not prosecuted.
Bolsonaro It is reportedly Criticized (STF) Judge Alexandre de Moraes said he handled the investigation launched against him over the plot of the “coup” against Lula, which he was officially indicted in February. censorship Campaign against Bolsonaro during the 2022 presidential election.
“They didn't want us to continue and there were heavy handed out of Alexander. [de] Moraz, during the 2022 election. For example, his decision suggests I could not show the image of Lula defending abortion,” Bolsonaro said.
The former president, who is banned from running for office until 2030, has urged his followers to vote for his Liberal Party (PL) in next year's general election. Bolsonaro demanded that his followers be elected “50%” of both rooms in the parliament, and in return promised to “change Brazil's fate.”
Brazilian pastor Cyrus Malafire, a close A friend of Bolsonaro claimed that on Sunday, Bolsonaro and the PL party will hold another pro-speaking rally on Sunday, April 6th.
“It's a historic day. Nothing was built overnight. It's like a building where one brick is placed on another,” Malafire said. I said On social media. “April 6, Sao Paulo, 2pm, we will continue to cry out for the freedom of innocent people in prison.”
Christian K. Calzo is a Venezuelan writer and documents life under socialism. You can follow him on Twitter here.
