Brazilian Authorities Detain Former Bolsonaro Aide Amid Coup Investigation

On December 14, 2024, Brazilian law enforcement apprehended General Walter Braga Netto, a significant figure in former President Jair Bolsonaro's administration, amid ongoing investigations into a purported coup orchestrated after Bolsonaro's electoral defeat.

Brazilian federal police executed an arrest and two search warrants targeting General Walter Braga Netto, who previously served as Jair Bolsonaro's running mate and chief of staff. The police confirmed that the arrest was due to allegations of obstructing investigations into a conspiracy aiming to overturn Bolsonaro's electoral loss. Details surrounding the operation were disclosed by a police official who requested anonymity.

Braga Netto's arrest represents a pivotal moment as investigations continue to implicate Bolsonaro and several members of his circle in a broader scheme alleged to comprise actions such as undermining the electoral system, drafting decrees to reverse election results, and inciting violence amongst Bolsonaro’s supporters.

The federal police have put forward recommendations for prosecuting both Bolsonaro and Braga Netto, suggesting various charges including "violent abolition of the democratic rule of law" and involvement in a "criminal organization." However, federal prosecutors have yet to make decisions regarding these charges.

The police report outlines a comprehensive investigation into activities designed to preserve Bolsonaro's grip on power, revealing intentions to create doubt in the electoral process and even plot an assassination against incoming President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. While Bolsonaro has denounced the inquiry as an act of political persecution, Braga Netto's legal team described the claims as unfounded, maintaining that there was no assassination plot and emphasizing the general's commitment to ethical governance.