Brazil’s former president charged with coup attempt

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been charged by the country’s chief prosecutor with attempting a coup after he was defeated in the 2022 presidential election, the BBC writes.

The 69-year-old was handed five charges over the alleged bid to prevent his successor, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, from taking office after a bitter election race.

The charges include allegations that he planned to poison Lula and shoot dead Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Morae.

Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing and says he’s the victim of political persecution.