Brazilian police have detained five officers accused of involvement in a coup plot aimed at overthrowing the government and assassinating President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, authorities announced. 

The investigation revealed that the conspirators also intended to target Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Brazilian media reported that those arrested included four military personnel and one police officer.  

Police confirmed the execution of five arrest warrants, along with three search and seizure operations. Additional measures include confiscating the suspects' passports and restricting their communication with others.

According to Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who approved the arrests, the police investigation found that military personnel trained with the nation's special forces, as well as a retired senior official, were involved in the coup plot. 

"The objective was to prevent the inauguration of the legitimately elected government and undermine the free exercise of democracy and the authority of Brazil’s judiciary," he stated, adding that the acts, which peaked between November and December 2022 in light of the elections, intended to orchestrate a broader plan for a coup d'etat.

On Tuesday, reports emerged that two senior Brazilian military leaders had informed police earlier this year that former President Jair Bolsonaro had proposed a plan to retain power after losing the 2022 election. However, both leaders rejected the plan and warned Bolsonaro they would arrest him if he attempted to proceed, based on judicial documents released in March.

The statements by the two officials further complicate Bolsonaro's legal challenges, as prosecutors work to establish connections between the far-right leader and the January 8, 2023, riots that vandalized government buildings in Brasilia, just a week after Lula's inauguration.

What happened on January 8?

Supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro broke into the country's Planalto presidential palace and Congress building on January 8, 2023, in protest against leftist President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva who defeated far-right Bolsonaro in the presidential elections held on October 30.

Hundreds of protesters holding the Brazilian flag stormed the national congress and took the roofs waving the country's flags despite attempts by security officers to contain the unrest, an AFP photographer said.

 The Supreme Court building in the vicinity of the presidential palace was also raided by the protestors.

Some protesters were holding signs calling on the country's military to "intervene militarily" against democratically elected Brazilian President Lula da Silva, after was sworn in to begin a four-year term for the third time in his life.

The new Brazilian President vowed to haul Brazil out of Jair Bolsonaro’s era of “devastation” and barbarism, promising to lead Brazil into a new chapter of environmental protection, social progress, and a “rational democratic” government.

As soon as the election results were announced, Bolsonaro supporters took to the streets to protest Lula's victory, with over 100 protests reported on October 31, which blocked major roads and highways in 18 different states. 

The blocks have visibly diminished since Bolsonaro called on his supporters to "unblock the roads" later on. He did however raise concerns of political turmoil by encouraging his supporter base of taking part in a "legitimate demonstration".