Bolsonaro Rallies Supporters in Rio as Supreme Court Trial Looms

The former Brazilian president seeks amnesty for January 2023 rioters and eyes a potential political comeback despite a ban on public office.

Thousands of Jair Bolsonaro supporters gathered on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach to demand amnesty for those convicted of the January 2023 riots in Brasilia.
The January 2023 riots, likened to the U.S. Capitol attack, involved Bolsonaro backers storming key government buildings to challenge President Lula's election victory.
Brazil's Supreme Court is set to decide on March 25 whether Bolsonaro will face trial for allegedly masterminding a plot to overthrow Lula's government.
Bolsonaro, barred from public office until 2030 due to electoral fraud claims, hopes to overturn the ban and run in the 2026 presidential election.
Analysts suggest the rally is part of Bolsonaro's strategy to assert his leadership and maintain political relevance despite legal challenges.