Brazil’s former defense minister was arrested as part of an investigation into a coup plot in 2022

The former defense minister of Brazil has been placed under arrest while investigators look into his possible role in a coup attempt in 2022.

Braga Netto, a close associate of former president Jair Bolsonaro and former defense minister, was arrested by Brazilian authorities on Saturday for allegedly interfering with an investigation into a 2022 coup attempt, according to a police source.

According to the Federal Police, it had arrested people who were allegedly interfering with the investigation. According to the source, Braga Netto was taken into custody during the operation.

Police recommended in a study released in late November that Bolsonaro and a number of his associates, including Netto, be charged with trying to plot a coup to stop leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from assuming power. In addition, Netto served as Bolsonaro’s running mate in the 2022 elections.

Currently, Attorney General Paulo Gonet is examining the evidence to decide if Bolsonaro and the 36 people identified as co-conspirators should face charges.

After almost two years of inquiry, the 884-page report charges Bolsonaro and his allies of planning to destroy Brazil’s democratic government with violence. Bolsonaro allegedly conspired with military authorities to fabricate election fraud claims and prepare decrees in order to circumvent the Supreme Court.

The investigation claimed that Jair Bolsonaro, the president of the Republic at the time, was personally involved in the development of the coup plan and contributed to papers and tactics meant to keep him in office even after losing the election.

The inquiry also claims that Bolsonaro knew of a plot by elite soldiers, dubbed the “Green and Yellow Dagger,” to kill President Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and a Supreme Court justice. It has been alleged that this idea was discussed in Netto’s residence and printed at the presidential office, Planalto Palace.

Investigators also found a draft of the coup plan among the possessions of one of Netto’s advisors at the leadership of Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party.