Brazil's Military Public Ministry filed a damning 19-page representation to the Superior Military Court accusing former President Jair Bolsonaro of demonstrating "descaso pela dignidade humana"—disdain for human dignity—marking a historic institutional rupture between the military establishment and its once-favored political figure.
The prosecution, reported by ICL Notícias, seeks to strip Bolsonaro of his military rank and officer status, targeting what prosecutors describe as systematic violations of the Armed Forces' basic ethical principles. The filing represents a dramatic shift from an institution that largely supported Bolsonaro throughout his political rise.
In Brazil, as across Latin America's giant, continental scale creates both opportunity and governance challenges. The military's institutional relationship with civilian democracy has long been fraught, making this prosecution particularly significant. For decades, Bolsonaro cultivated his image as the military's champion in politics—making the Armed Forces' prosecutorial arm's condemnation all the more striking.
The Military Public Ministry organized its case around three central allegations. First, they accuse Bolsonaro of breaching Article 28 of the Military Statute by violating duties of probity and proper conduct, claiming he "formou e chefiou uma organização de autoridades do Estado" (formed and led an organization of state authorities) to achieve unconstitutional objectives.
Second, prosecutors argue Bolsonaro attempted to undermine democratic institutions and inverted the constitutional principle of military subordination to civilian power. The representation cites instances where he attacked other judges as "canalhas" (scoundrels), behavior prosecutors deemed inconsistent with military honor.
Third, the filing reaches back to 1988, referencing a disciplinary case against then-Captain Bolsonaro involving alleged bomb plot planning. Prosecutors cited that precedent's conclusion: "a mentira é, realmente, a primeira das transgressões" (falsehood is truly the first transgression), suggesting a pattern of ethical violations spanning decades.
The prosecution's timing is particularly significant. Bolsonaro faces multiple criminal investigations, including allegations of attempting a coup after his 2022 electoral defeat to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Federal police have accused him and dozens of associates of plotting to prevent Lula from taking office, with investigations examining everything from alleged assassination plots to schemes to retain power through military intervention.
But this military prosecution operates on a different track. Rather than seeking criminal conviction, it targets Bolsonaro's military honor and status. For a figure who built his political identity on his military background—frequently appearing in camouflage, celebrating military culture, and positioning himself as the Armed Forces' defender—losing his rank would carry profound symbolic weight.
The institutional implications extend beyond Bolsonaro personally. The Military Public Ministry's willingness to pursue this case signals that at least some military institutions are drawing boundaries around acceptable political conduct by former officers. This represents a potentially important evolution in Brazilian civil-military relations, where the Armed Forces have historically resisted accountability for political activities.
Legal analysts note the Superior Military Court will need to balance military institutional interests against political pressures from Bolsonaro's still-substantial support base. The former president retains significant backing, including from active and retired military personnel who see the prosecution as politically motivated.
Defense lawyers are expected to argue that Bolsonaro's actions fell within civilian political discourse rather than military conduct violations. They may also challenge the prosecution's use of decades-old disciplinary cases as precedent, arguing democratic Brazil's military justice system should not be weaponized against political opponents.
The case unfolds as Brazil grapples with broader questions about accountability for democratic backsliding. Lula's government has emphasized institutional strength and rule of law, but faces criticism from some quarters for what opponents characterize as selective prosecution of political rivals. The military prosecution, coming from an independent institution rather than the civilian justice system, may carry different political implications.
International observers are watching closely, as Brazil's handling of alleged coup plotting could set precedents for democratic defense across Latin America. Several regional democracies face similar challenges from leaders who attempt to subvert electoral defeats, making Brazil's institutional responses potentially influential beyond its borders.
The Superior Military Court has not announced a timeline for its decision, though the prosecution's detailed filing suggests a lengthy legal process ahead. Whatever the outcome, the Military Public Ministry's unprecedented language—accusing a former president of disdain for human dignity—marks a watershed moment in Brazil's still-evolving post-authoritarian democracy.
