Brazilian army colonel arrested in alleged Bolsonaro coup plot

Brazilian army colonel arrested upon return from U.S. amidst investigation into alleged coup plot linked to former President Bolsonaro

An army colonel from Brazil, who was sought by authorities in connection with an alleged coup attempt involving associates of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, was arrested on Sunday upon his return from the U.S.

Upon arrival at Brazil’s airport, Col. Bernardo Correa Neto was detained and later held at an army facility following a court hearing.

Neto had been dispatched to the U.S. by the army for an assignment at the Inter-American Defense College in Washington in December 2022. This coincided with Bolsonaro’s departure to Florida just days before the inauguration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Bolsonaro, who refused to concede defeat in the October 2022 election to Lula and was subsequently barred from holding elected office until 2030, faced allegations of abusing his presidential powers and undermining Brazil’s electoral system with unsubstantiated claims of fraud.

In a recent development, the Federal Police conducted a raid on Bolsonaro’s seaside residence and party headquarters, confiscating his passport. 

Bolsonaro has denied involvement in the alleged conspiracy, dismissing it as politically motivated persecution.

The police operation on Thursday also targeted four former ministers, three of whom were retired army generals, and led to the arrest of four former aides, including Colonel Correa Neto. Additionally, Valdemar Costa Neto, the president of Bolsonaro’s right-wing political party, was arrested during a search of his residence, where an unregistered firearm was discovered.

Costa Neto was released on bail on Saturday.

Source: Newsroom

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