Brazil’s Supreme Court puts 70 more people on trial for the Jan. 8 riots

Brazil’s highest legal body, the Federal Supreme Court (STF), has moved to trial an additional 70 individuals believed to have participated in the January 8 riots in Brasilia.

With a majority decision of nine to two, the STF has now charged 1,295 out of the 1,390 individuals identified by the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (FGR).

The online plenary session concluded late Friday, confirming the STF’s predominant stance to accept the prosecution’s charges and initiate proceedings against the accused.

Two opposing justices argued that the case overseer, Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the STF, should not continue with the case for individuals without special legal protections, suggesting the trial should occur at the primary federal judiciary level rather than at the court.

The virtual plenary is a digital trial format wherein justices submit their votes electronically, eliminating the need for in-person sessions or video conferences.

Charges accepted by the STF include armed criminal conspiracy, an attempt against the rule of law, an attempted coup, and threats and damage to state assets.

On January 8, 2023, supporters of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022) stormed government facilities, including the Congress and the STF in Brasilia, urging the military to overturn Lula’s presidency, which had commenced a week prior.

Bolsonaro’s former Justice Minister, Anderson Torres, once Brasilia’s security chief, is under house arrest linked to the case.

The acknowledgment of these charges is the initial step in the criminal process.

After the allegations are accepted, defendants can submit their written defenses and present witnesses and evidence later.

Additionally, on Friday, seven District Federal Military Police officers, including its commander, Colonel Klepter Rosa Gonçalves, were arrested, accused of negligence during the public building invasions in the capital.