“I shifted to prison,” says Bolsonaro about PGR complaint

Former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) minimized the possibility of being arrested by stating that “I shifted to prison” in response to the complaint of the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) that accuses him of leading a scammer plot in 2022.

The speech occurred during the first PL communication seminar in Brasilia, and marks its first public demonstration after the submission of the complaint, which can result in cumulative penalties of up to 50 years in prison.

In his speech, Bolsonaro criticized freedom of expression in Brazil and disqualified the accusations, referring to the episode as a “Disney coup”, alluding to his presence in Orlando during the scammer attacks of 8 January 2023.

On Tuesday (18), the former president was formally accused, alongside 33 others, by the Attorney General, Paulo Gonet. Accusations include crimes such as attempted violent abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law, coup d’état and participation in criminal organization.

This Wednesday (19), Minister Alexandre de Moraes determined the removal of the confidentiality of the testimonials of Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid, who made an award to the Federal Police. This decision reveals details of the accusations presented by Jair Bolsonaro’s former Assistant of Orders.