In a significant development for Brazilian politics, the First Panel of Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court commenced proceedings on April 22, 2025, to determine whether six individuals linked to a coup plot will face formal charges. This group, identified as members of nucleus 2 of the alleged coup attempt, includes key figures such as Filipe Martins, a former international affairs advisor to ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, and Marcelo Câmara, a former aide to Bolsonaro.
The other members under scrutiny are Silvinei Vasques, the former head of the Federal Highway Police; Mário Fernandes, an Army general; Marília de Alencar, the former intelligence director at the Ministry of Justice; and Fernando de Sousa Oliveira, former operations director at the Ministry of Justice. Both Alencar and Oliveira have connections to Anderson Torres, the former Justice Minister who has already been indicted in this ongoing investigation.
The Attorney General’s Office has accused these individuals of orchestrating actions aimed at supporting Bolsonaro’s alleged attempt to cling to power following the 2022 elections. The gravity of the accusations includes drafting a coup plan, preparing documents to justify a power seizure, monitoring Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, and using the Federal Highway Police to obstruct voters in the Northeast region during the elections.
As the First Panel convened, it was noted that a follow-up session was scheduled for April 23 to wrap up the case review. If a majority of the justices approve the indictments, the accused will transition to defendants and face criminal proceedings that may lead to acquittal or conviction, with potential penalties for their actions exceeding 30 years in prison.
The charges they face are serious and varied, including: armed criminal organization (which carries a penalty of 3 to 8 years), attempted violent overthrow of the democratic rule of law (4 to 8 years), coup d’état (4 to 12 years), damage with violence and serious threat (6 months to 3 years), and damage to listed heritage (1 to 3 years).
The case is being heard by the Supreme Court’s First Panel, which is composed of Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is also the rapporteur, as well as Justices Flávio Dino, Cristiano Zanin, Cármen Lúcia, and Luiz Fux. Under the Court's procedural rules, criminal cases are typically reviewed by its two panels, and the involvement of the rapporteur in this panel is crucial for the case's progression.
Last month, a significant ruling was made when former president Jair Bolsonaro and seven others were unanimously convicted in connection with a separate case regarding the coup attempt. However, three additional charges related to this matter are still pending review.
In a related narrative, Jair Bolsonaro himself is currently embroiled in legal troubles as he faces trial by the STF for his alleged role in the January 8, 2023 coup attempt. In an exclusive interview conducted on April 21, 2025, from his hospital bed in Brasília, Bolsonaro expressed his belief that he will remain hospitalized for at least another week.
The interview, aired on SBT Brasil, was described by Bolsonaro as a necessary step to counteract “certain narratives from gaining traction.” He asserted, "I’m facing a political trial, not a technical one," reflecting his perspective on the ongoing legal challenges he faces.
Bolsonaro reiterated his longstanding defense against the coup accusations, questioning the legitimacy of the charges. He stated, "How could I damage public property if I was outside Brazil? What damage did I supposedly cause? And a coup d’état—what a joke. A coup without leadership, without troops, without weapons, on a Sunday, and without a president to overthrow at the time. It makes no sense, not to me or to anyone."
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Bolsonaro conveyed that he is not fearful of arrest. He noted that the Supreme Court is focusing on the so-called coup draft and an alleged plan to assassinate an authority, asserting, "I can’t just go around speculating what I think or don’t think. That never came across my path, I was never aware of it."
Bolsonaro has been hospitalized since April 11, 2025, after feeling unwell during an event in Rio Grande do Norte, leading to his transfer to Brasília where he underwent a lengthy 12-hour surgery. His current health issues are reportedly linked to intestinal problems stemming from a stabbing incident during his 2018 presidential campaign.
This complex political situation in Brazil continues to unfold, with the Supreme Court’s decisions potentially reshaping the landscape of Brazilian democracy. As the First Panel reviews the case against the six coup plot suspects, the implications of their findings could reverberate throughout the country, influencing public perception and the future of political accountability in Brazil.
With Bolsonaro’s ongoing legal battles and the serious charges against his former aides, the political climate remains tense. The outcomes of these proceedings will not only affect those directly involved but will also serve as a litmus test for Brazil’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and the rule of law.
