Bolsonaro Coup Trial, Day 3 of 5: Moraes and Dino Vote to Convict Amid Evidence Manipulation Allegations

The third day of Jair Bolsonaro’s trial before Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF) brought decisive moves inside the courtroom and explosive allegations outside.

Inside, Justice Alexandre de Moraes, rapporteur of the case, cast the first vote to convict Bolsonaro and seven allies for charges including coup plotting, armed criminal organization, and violent attack on democratic order.

He described the scheme as a “frightening and dark panorama”, citing Bolsonaro’s speeches delegitimizing elections, a drafted coup decree, and discussions of assassinating President Lula, Vice President Alckmin, and Moraes himself.

Justice Flávio Dino followed, also voting to convict. He called Bolsonaro the “leader and principal beneficiary” of the conspiracy, tying his rhetoric to the January 8, 2023 riots in Brasília. With two votes in, only one more is needed for a majority guilty verdict.

Justice Luiz Fux, viewed as the panel’s most independent voice, will cast his vote next, followed by Justices Cármen Lúcia and Cristiano Zanin. Meanwhile, outside the Court, Moraes himself came under fire.

Former electoral court adviser Eduardo Tagliaferro, testifying via video from Italy before the Senate’s Public Security Commission (chaired by Senator Flávio Bolsonaro), alleged that Moraes ordered him to backdate a technical report used to justify a 2022 Federal Police raid on Bolsonaro-linked businessmen.

Bolsonaro Trial Nears Verdict Amid Claims of Judicial Bias

Tagliaferro claimed the report’s date was changed from August 28 to August 22, implying prior analysis of a raid that was in fact based on media reports. The STF denied requests to suspend the trial, and Moraes issued a statement affirming all documents are properly filed.

Still, the allegation became political ammunition: right-leaning outlets (Gazeta do Povo, Jovem Pan) cast it as proof of bias and judicial overreach, while mainstream papers (Folha de S.Paulo, O Globo) reported it cautiously, stressing the partisan context and the Court’s rejection of delays.

The trial resumes on September 10, when the remaining justices will vote. With conviction nearly assured, attention is shifting to sentencing, expected to be announced on September 12.

Bolsonaro faces the prospect of decades in prison, even as his allies rally behind claims of persecution and push for amnesty.