On December 14, 2024, Brazilian Federal Police apprehended retired General Walter Braga Netto at his residence in Rio de Janeiro. He previously served as Minister of the Presidency and Defense under former President Jair Bolsonaro. The arrest was made in connection with allegations of obstruction of justice related to a purported coup attempt against current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The operation was confirmed by the Federal Police, which stated that the arrest warrant was issued by the Supreme Court. The police described the detained individual as someone allegedly obstructing the free flow of evidence during the ongoing criminal investigation.
In addition to Braga Netto's arrest, two search and seizure warrants were executed, and a precautionary measure was taken against another unidentified suspect. Braga Netto has been identified as a key figure in planning actions aimed at hindering Lula's inauguration, which took place on January 1, 2023.
Investigations have revealed plans that included a potential assassination attempt against Lula, his running mate Geraldo Alckmin, and Alexandre de Moraes, a Supreme Court Justice who was then serving as President of the Electoral Court and is currently the rapporteur for this case.
On January 8, 2023, a week after Lula's inauguration, Bolsonaro supporters attacked the Presidential Palace, Congress, and Supreme Court, causing extensive damage in an effort to instigate a coup. The Supreme Court has since condemned hundreds of individuals involved in this insurrection on charges including attempted coup and violent overthrow of the rule of law.