Supreme Court begins trial of January 8 rioters

Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversees investigations into the January 8 riots. Photo: Rosinei Coutinho/SCO/STF

The Supreme Court on Wednesday commenced the trial of the first defendants charged with participating in the January 8 riots, during which thousands of supporters of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro ransacked the buildings of all three branches of government.

The four defendants face charges of armed conspiracy, violent disruption of the rule of law, coup d’état, and damage to public property.

The attorney for defendant Moacir José dos Santos alleges that her client entered the presidential palace to protect himself against tear gas, but did not damage public property or use violence against police officers. Lawyers representing the other defendants dispute the charges as being too generic and argue that there is insufficient evidence to convict their clients individually.

Matheus Lima de Carvalho Lázaro’s defense argued that he should not be tried in the Supreme Court, as Brazilian criminal law reserves this court for individuals holding public office.

Mr. Lázaro, aged 24, made a live broadcast of the invasion of public buildings on January 8. He was arrested on the same day. Audio messages he sent to his wife show he expected the Army would join in the riots in “a military intervention,” a common talking point and coup reference among pro-Bolsonaro supporters.

The Prosecutor-General’s Office charged 1,390 people for participation in the January 8 riots. So far, the Supreme Court has accepted charges against 1,345 of them.