Tens of thousands of people expressed their support for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in Sao Paulo. writes The Guardian. The far-right former president spoke at the rally for about twenty minutes to defend himself (he is being investigated for a coup attempt), while recalling his years as president.
He did not criticize his old enemies or the Supreme Court in his speech, although his allies expressed concern before the event that he would get himself into more trouble for any comments against Brazilian authorities or institutions.
An investigation is currently underway against Bolsonaro to determine the role he played in the riots after losing the election on January 8, 2023, when his supporters attacked government buildings. Bolsonaro wants to pardon dozens of people who are still in prison on charges of sabotage.
Police also accuse Bolsonaro of illegally receiving jewelry from Saudi Arabia during his presidency.
Protesters say Brazil's highest court is persecuting Bolsonaro and that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won the 2022 election unfairly. Some also carried Israeli flags to the march as a nod to the current president, who has been widely criticized for comparing the Israeli military offensive in Gaza to the Holocaust.
Bolsonaro denied that he and his supporters attempted a coup when rioters attacked government buildings a year ago. “What is a coup? Tanks in the street, guns and a conspiracy. Nothing like this happened in Brazil.”
Bolsonaro cannot run for president until 2030 because he has been twice convicted of abuse of power. However, he remains active in Brazilian politics as Lula's main opponent.
