• Jair Bolsonaro's trial for coup plotting has entered its final phase, with a verdict expected by September 12.
• He faces five charges, including attempted coup, armed criminal association, and violent abolition of democracy.
• U.S. President Donald Trump denounced the trial as a "witch hunt" and imposed tariffs on Brazilian goods in response.
• Bolsonaro's defense argued that he has been denied a fair hearing and that there is "not a single shred of evidence" against him.
• The trial could mark a historic accountability moment in Brazil's democracy and affect future elections.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is facing a significant trial that has entered its final stage, with verdict proceedings set to conclude by September 12. He is charged with orchestrating a coup attempt following his loss to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the 2022 election. The five charges include leading an armed criminal organization and attempting to violently abolish the democratic rule of law. Such allegations have sparked political uproar as they put the very foundations of Brazilian democracy under scrutiny, according to BBC, NPR, and Reuters.

The final phase of the trial has garnered international attention, particularly from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has publicly labeled the proceedings a "witch hunt." He justified a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports with claims that Bolsonaro is being unfairly targeted. Many view Trump's involvement as part of a broader geopolitical narrative where the U.S. exhibits influence over Brazilian political affairs, as outlined by Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.

During recent court sessions, defense lawyers for Bolsonaro have pushed for acquittal, claiming that there is "not a single shred of evidence" linking him to the alleged coup plot and asserting that his right to a fair defense has been impeded. They also allege that the trial may be politically motivated, intended to ensure it does not disrupt the upcoming presidential campaigns in 2026. Such claims highlight the polarized climate within which the trial is unfolding, as echoed by sources like BBC and Reuters.

Evidence presented by the prosecution indicates that Bolsonaro, along with his co-defendants—which include high-ranking military officials—had planned various actions that undermined democratic processes, including discussions about a coup and potential assassinations of other political figures. The most egregious event cited was the riot on January 8, 2023, when Bolsonaro's supporters stormed government buildings in Brasília shortly after Lula was inaugurated. The ramifications of this dramatic episode resonate within Brazilian society, reflecting the entrenchment of an ideological divide, as underscored by multiple sources including Al Jazeera and BBC.

Throughout the proceedings, Bolsonaro has maintained his innocence, framing the trial as an effort to thwart his political resurgence. Central to the defense's narrative is the argument that the judiciary is biased against him, given that some justices have past connections to Lula's political faction. This tension reflects broader concerns about the integrity of political institutions in Brazil, as articulated by his supporters and emphasized in discussions surrounding the trial's implications for democracy, according to BBC and SCMP.

The outcome of this trial not only has the potential to reshape Bolsonaro's political future but also carries significant implications for Brazil's democracy. The case embodies the importance of maintaining the rule of law, especially in a country with a history of military juntas and political corruption. As the verdict approaches, the world watches closely, anticipating both legal and political repercussions depending on the outcome, as reported by Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.