Today, the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) of Brazil will continue the trial of actions against former President Jair Bolsonaro for his illegal behavior during the celebration of Independence Day on September 7, 2022.
The court’s analysis was extended to his candidate for vice president in the October election last year, reserve general Walter Braga Netto.
Bolsonaro and Braga Netto are accused in this case of abuse of political and economic power, improper use of the media,, and improper behavior to benefit their candidates in official events that mark the bicentennial of the release of Portugal.
The solemnities were held in Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro, paid for with public money,, and broadcast on TV Brasil.
In those events, the former president participated in campaign activities held near and similar to those of the officials.
Last Tuesday’s session, which will continue this Thursday and may extend until October 31, was marked by the arguments of the prosecution and defense lawyers, in addition to the demonstration of the Electoral Prosecutor for the conviction of the far-right politician.
In the actions, the Democratic Labor Party and Senator Soraya Thronicke asked for the disqualification of Bolsonaro, in addition to the application of a fine for the use of commemorations of independence to promote his re-election.
According to the accusation, the former head of state took advantage of that date to carry out campaign activities, using “the public machine for his own benefit.”
During the hearing, the electoral attorney general, Paulo Gonet, stated that Bolsonaro committed abuse to gain an electoral advantage and also condemned the use of the Armed Forces in the proselytizing crusade.
For his part, lawyer Tarcisio Vieira de Carvalho rejected the accusations and insisted that his client did not use the September 7 celebration for his candidacy.
“After the closing of the event, Bolsonaro went to the place and, without the presidential band, addressed the next phase of the official event, only to the people who came to the place and were ready to listen,” the defense said. If convicted, the former Army captain will be disqualified a second time for eight years.
However, this time is still valid based on the first penalty and cannot be counted twice. The penalty will also reach Braga Netto.
In June, the former president was sentenced by the TSE to ineligibility for eight years (until 2030) for abuse of political power and misuse of the media, by attacking the electronic voting system in a meeting with foreign ambassadors, in July 2022 at the Alvorada Palace (official residence of the Presidency).
