Brazil: Bolsonaro protests coup trial with Sao Paulo rally

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro rallied supporters at a public demonstration in Sao Paulo on Sunday to protest his ongoing trial before the Supreme Court.

"It's for freedom, for justice," said Bolsonaro, the president from 2019 to 2022.

Bolsonaro is on trial on charges of conspiring to overturn the 2022 election in a coup that reportedly included plans to assassinate political rivals, including Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who won the presidency. He denied all charges earlier in June and claimed to be the target of political persecution.

If convicted, he could face up to 12 years in prison. 

Separately, Brazilian police called for Bolsonaro to be charaged with illegal espionage during his time in office.

Bolsonaro barred from office until 2030

Bolsonaro's calls for protests during his legal battles have seen declining attendance in recent months. Still, thousands of people turned out to hear the 70-year-old former leader speak on Sunday.

Bolsonaro supporters occupoed Sao Paulo's Paulista Avenue, a key thoroughfare of Latin America's largest metropolisImage: Jean Carniel/REUTERS

"Bolsonaro, come back!" protesters chanted, even though the former president is barred from running for office until 2030 for abusing power and spreading false claims about Brazil's voting system.

Bolsonaro has previously insisted he will run in next year's presidential election despite the electoral court's decision.

A final ruling in Bolsonaro's Supreme Court case is expected by the end of the year.

Edited by: Darko Janjevic