Brazil’s prosecutor-general has charged former President Jair Bolsonaro with attempting a coup to stay in power after his 2022 election loss.

The indictment alleges Bolsonaro and 33 others planned to poison President Lula and assassinate a Supreme Court justice.

Prosecutors claim Bolsonaro approved the scheme, which aimed to undermine democracy.

Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing, calling the accusations baseless. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

The Supreme Court will decide whether to proceed with a trial, the Associated Press has reported.

Bolsonaro is already barred from running in 2026 but remains a strong political figure.

Written by B.C. Begley