• Jair Bolsonaro's lawyers have called for his acquittal in an ongoing coup trial.
• The Supreme Court is set to deliver a verdict between September 2 and 12.
• Bolsonaro is facing multiple charges, including attempting to overthrow the government.
• The trial has drawn significant international attention and criticism, particularly from Donald Trump.
• Bolsonaro's defense claims a lack of evidence against him.

In a significant legal move, defense lawyers for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have requested an acquittal as the trial advances, asserting that he is "innocent of all charges" and that there is an "absolute lack" of evidence to support the prosecution's claims. The trial, which began in May, centers on allegations that Bolsonaro attempted to maintain power after losing the 2022 election to current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, with prosecution evidence pointing to an alleged conspiracy that included plans to violently overturn the election results, according to Le Monde and TRT Global.

The Supreme Court announced that a verdict and sentences will be delivered between September 2 and 12, amidst escalating tensions involving former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has publicly denounced the trial as a "witch hunt." Trump's administration has responded by imposing a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, framing this action in the context of Bolsonaro's ongoing judicial challenges, as reported by Channel News Asia and LA Times.

As Bolsonaro remains under house arrest for violating social media restrictions, his defense argues that no coup attempt was executed, emphasizing that he authorized the handover of power to Lula. The prosecution claims he led a criminal organization that sought to prevent Lula's inauguration, which has attracted scrutiny from both domestic and international audiences. Some polls indicate that over half of Brazilians support Bolsonaro's house arrest, dismissing claims of political persecution, according to India Times and Reuters.

The trial is a critical moment for Brazil's legal and political landscape, echoing sentiments of similar events in U.S. history, notably the January 6 Capitol riots, raising discussions around democracy and justice in both nations. The implications of the outcome are likely to resonate beyond Brazil, given the heightened international attention and political criticism, highlighted by Al Jazeera and Anadolu Agency.