Brazil's ex-president Bolsonaro fights coup charges, lawyers cite lack of evidence
In a 197-page document submitted to the court, Bolsonaro's lawyers argued the far-right former head of state is "innocent of all charges" and that an "absolute lack" of evidence was presented during the trial, which began in May.
Bolsonaro and seven collaborators are accused of attempting to hold power despite his 2022 electoral defeat to Brazil's current leftist leader, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
On Jan 8, 2023, a week after Lula's inauguration, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings in Brasilia, alleging election fraud and calling on the military to intervene.
Bolsonaro, who led the Latin American country from 2019 to 2022, has maintained his innocence for months, calling any coup "abhorrent."
He faces up to 40 years in prison if found guilty.
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