Brazil's Supreme Court Sentences Military Officers and Police Agent for Lula Assassination Plot

Supreme Court Delivers Verdicts in Assassination Plot

Brazil's Federal Supreme Court (STF) on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, delivered significant sentences against nine individuals, comprising eight high-ranking military personnel and one federal police officer. The convictions stem from their involvement in a plot to assassinate President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. This plot was part of a wider effort to prevent Lula da Silva from assuming office after his victory in the 2022 presidential elections.

The sentences handed down range from approximately one year and eleven months to a maximum of 24 years in prison, with four of the defendants receiving terms exceeding two decades. A retired general, initially among the ten defendants, was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

Details of the Coup Attempt and Charges

The convicted individuals were found guilty of various serious offenses. Seven of the defendants faced charges including:

• Attempted violent abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law
• Coup d'état
• Participation in an armed criminal organization
• Qualified damage and deterioration of property

Two other defendants, Army Colonel Márcio Nunes de Resende Jr. and Army Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Ferreira de Araújo Jr., were convicted of lesser charges: criminal association and public incitement of animosity between the Armed Forces and constitutional authorities.

According to investigations, the plot, reportedly dubbed the 'Green and Yellow Dagger,' aimed to 'neutralize' key public figures. Evidence included messages and documents detailing the plan, and it was revealed that a federal police officer had infiltrated President Lula's security detail to facilitate the violent agenda. However, the scheme ultimately failed to gain traction due to a lack of support from the Army's leadership.

Connection to Former President Bolsonaro's Case

This sentencing is directly linked to the ongoing legal proceedings against former President Jair Bolsonaro. In September 2025, Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison for leading a criminal organization that sought to overturn the results of the 2022 election. His appeal against this sentence was recently rejected by the Supreme Court.

Justice Flávio Dino, in his vote, emphasized the gravity of the plot, stating, 'It wasn't just a walk in the park. It was a coup that would arrest and kill people, revoke the Constitution, citizenship and the free press.' The convicted individuals will not begin serving their prison sentences until all possible appeals have been exhausted.