Brazil Justice Moraes Keeps Ex-Defence Chief Braga Netto in Jail

Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Wednesday rejected a fresh request to revoke the preventive detention of General Walter Braga Netto, the former defence minister and 2022 vice-presidential running mate of Jair Bolsonaro. Moraes ruled that the factual circumstances “remain unchanged” and that keeping the defendant in custody is necessary to safeguard public order and ensure the application of criminal law. Braga Netto has been held since 14 December 2024—more than six months—on charges that he helped orchestrate and later tried to obstruct investigations into an alleged coup attempt meant to overturn President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s 2022 election victory. Prosecutors say the general sought confidential information from the plea bargain of Mauro Cid, Bolsonaro’s former aide, to influence the probe. In its final submissions on 14 July, the Procuradoria-Geral da República asked the STF to convict Braga Netto and other defendants of armed criminal organisation, attempted violent abolition of the democratic state, attempted coup, and related property crimes. With the evidentiary phase concluded, the court will next hear closing arguments from the remaining defendants before Moraes drafts his vote and refers the case for judgment by the full court.