Rallies held in Brazil in support of embattled Bolsonaro facing legal peril

Supporters of the Supreme Court’s coup trial, which could put the former leader in jail for years, have gathered in the country’s major cities.

Brazilian and American flags were carried by demonstrators in Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro, and other cities on Sunday, making an ostensible mention of Donald Trump’s support for a staunch ally.

As they chanted slogans, they also held banners emblazoned with Trump and Bolsonaro’s names.

Bolsonaro is accused of trying to overthrow Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the president of the present, in the election of 2022.

In violent scenes that evoked Trump supporters’ attack on the US Capitol two years prior, Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil’s congress in January 2023, slain the chambers and attacked the police.

According to evidence from a Brazilian general, the alleged plotters also wanted to kill Lula and several other public officials.

Former army officer Bolsonaro and seven others were found guilty of engaging in “armed criminal association” and had a claim to “violently overthrow the democratic order” by the prosecution.

A coup conviction can lead to a 12-year prison term. Bolsonaro could spend decades in prison for that and other charges.

Former president The&nbsp has repeatedly refuted the allegations and claimed that he is the target of political persecution.

“A witch hunt”

Bolsonaro claims to be a victim of political persecution, echoing Trump’s claim that he was the victim of political persecution before returning to the White House.

According to Monica Yanakiew of Al Jazeera, who is reporting from Sao Paolo, protesters thanked Trump for his support.

People are saying “Thank you Trump,” she said, adding that there are numerous American flags flying around.

They thanked President Trump for allowing Brazil, Yanakiew continued.

Trump has called the trial a “witch hunt,” and his Treasury Department has issued a sanction in response to Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

Brazil has strongly objected to de Moraes’ US decision to impose sanctions.

Trump has made it clear that he is punishing Bolsonaro, Brazil, for prosecuting him. Bolsonaro’s “politically motivated persecution” was the subject of an executive order that slapped 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports.

On Friday, protesters gathered in Brazil to denounce Trump’s severe tariffs on exports. Residents of cities like Sao Paulo and Brasilia erupted in protests on Trump’s most recent tariff campaign’s first day.