RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Federal police arrested former Brazilian Defense Minister Walter Braga Neto on Saturday after he was accused in November of plotting a coup to overturn the results of the 2022 elections, two sources told Reuters.
Braga Neto also served as chief of staff to former President Jair Bolsonaro and ran alongside him for vice president in Bolsonaro's failed re-election bid in 2022.
In a statement that did not name Braga Neto, federal police said they had issued an arrest warrant, two search and seizure warrants, and a precautionary measure other than arrest against individuals allegedly obstructing investigations.
Federal police accused Braga Neto, a retired army general, along with Bolsonaro, former government ministers and former armed forces commanders, of planning a coup in 2022, after the far-right former president lost that year's election to current President Luiz Inacio Lula. Da Silva.
Braga Neto was accused of being one of the main influencers and organizers of the coup attempt to prevent Lula's inauguration.
Braga Neto could not be reached for comment, but he has denied any wrongdoing in the past.
