Brazilian Supreme Court justice sets date for Bolsonaro's trial

[Judi Lynn]

Former president would be ineligible to run for country’s highest office for 8 years if convicted
Jorge Antonio Rocha |

06.06.2023 - Update : 06.06.2023

MEXICO CITY

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes decided Monday to set the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro for June 22.

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), the country’s top elections court, accuses Bolsonaro of abusing his power by attacking the electoral courts and criticizing without evidence the reliability of electronic voting. He is also being investigated for misuse of the media.

If convicted, the 68-year-old will not be able to run for president for eight years.

Bolsonaro, who has been involved in a series of legal clashes since stepping down from power in January, will face trial for a televised address held at the Alvorada Palace in front of a dozen foreign diplomats where he made unfounded claims against Brazil's electronic voting system ahead of his faceoff with current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in October last year.

. . .

Brazil's prosecution has backed the trial against Bolsonaro, saying his remarks during the meeting with the foreign diplomats influenced voters' perceptions ahead of the presidential elections, which may have triggered the raid on Brazil's federal buildings by Bolsonaro's supporters, who promoted a military overthrow of the newly elected Lula.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/brazilian-supreme-court-justice-sets-date-for-bolsonaros-trial/2915151

[Easterncedar]

1. Lots of interesting stories today.

Thanks, Judi Lynn.