Written by By Staff Writer
A group of Brazilian senators has recommended President Jair Bolsonaro be charged with crimes against humanity, although the president and top justice officials are both largely convinced that no charges will be brought.
A letter signed by 29 senators Monday said Bolsonaro should be indicted for abuse of power following his July 24 military coup in which he took office.
Bolsonaro’s electoral and criminal records could be used as evidence, but human rights leaders say these people should have been charged long ago.
The letter cites police excesses during the 1970s during a dictatorship under former military ruler, Gen. Luis Fernando Pinochet.
Eduardo Cunha, a senator who is still facing accusations of corruption, sent the letter to the Senate’s ethics committee.
That group later voted to suggest a third senator on a 12-member committee. That senator is yet to be picked.
On Wednesday, Attorney General Russel Guilherme said there is “nothing serious and absolute in the affair” of the alleged abuses by Bolsonaro, suggesting there is no case for charges.
Defense Minister Alessandro Gomes said he was certain Bolsonaro would be cleared.
The letter appears to be the first sign of movement on Bolsonaro’s military coup following massive nationwide protests against it on July 28.
On July 21, over 3 million Brazilians took to the streets to reject the coup. Bolsonaro suspended his inauguration and is in hiding in Latin America’s largest nation.
