Federal police arrested former Brazilian defense minister Walter Braga Netto on Saturday, the military said, after he was accused of plotting a coup to overturn the results of the 2022 election in November.
Braga Netto also served as chief of staff for former President Jair Bolsonaro and was his running mate for his failed 2022 re-election bid.
Braga Netto, who police accuse of being a central figure in the alleged coup attempt, has denied any role in the incident. His lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In a statement that did not name Braga Netto, the federal police said it had issued two search warrants, an arrest warrant and precautionary measures other than arrest against people who obstructed the investigation.
The searches were conducted at Braga Netto’s residence in Rio de Janeiro and the home of retired colonel Flavio Botelho Peregrino in Brasilia, the military said in a statement, adding that Braga Netto will be held in military custody in Rio.
In November, federal police accused Braga Netto and Bolsonaro, other cabinet members and former military commanders of conspiring to prevent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office after winning the 2022 election.
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