“On the last Sunday of February, the 25th, at 3 p.m., I will be on Paulista Avenue holding a peaceful rally to defend our democratic rule of law
,” said the former Brazilian president (2019-2022). Jair Bolsonaro, in a video message posted Monday on his social networks.
During this event,
“I want to defend myself against all the accusations that have been made against me in recent months
,” he continues.
Jair Bolsonaro was the subject of a police operation on Thursday as part of an investigation into his alleged role in a coup.
He was prohibited from leaving Brazilian territory the same day.
The exposure in detail on Friday of a supposed
“coup attempt”
to stave off his 2022 electoral defeat has put the far-right leader in difficulty like never before.
"Persecution"
More than a speech, Jair Bolsonaro says he wants to make a symbolic demonstration of force on the emblematic Paulista Avenue: take
“a photo”
of his supporters,
“show Brazil and the world”
their unity, their concerns and their desires.
Although he previously claimed to be a victim of
"persecution"
, Jair Bolsonaro asks his supporters
"not to attend (the event) with a sign or banner against anyone"
.
The former army captain, stripped of his political rights until 2030 for abuse of power, has been the subject of numerous investigations since leaving power 13 months ago, although he remains at the head of the opposition to left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The seats of power invaded
Investigators believe the alleged coup was plotted well before January 8, 2023, when thousands of Bolsonarista supporters invaded the seats of power in Brasilia, unhappy with Lula's victory.
A video of a meeting held on July 5, 2022 and made public on Friday, shows Jair Bolsonaro urging
“all ministers”
to launch a campaign against electronic ballot boxes, as he himself did during the electoral race this year -there.