STORY: Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro drew hundreds on Sunday (June 29) to Sao Paulo’s main avenue in a rally to drum up support ahead of a judicial case pending in the Supreme Court for coup charges.

The rally was called by the Christian pastor and leader Silas Malafaia.

A trial over his involvement in an alleged coup plot to secure the presidency in the 2022 elections is reaching its final stages in the Supreme Court. According to Brazilian media, testimonies and defendants have already declared and it will now be the turn for the prosecutor’s office to present its final allegations.

The former president, who is currently barred from running for office, has denied any wrongdoing.

During his speech, Bolsonaro mentioned his trip to the U.S. in December 2022 to dodge President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s inauguration on January 1, 2023, in Brasilia. The riots took place on January 8 at the same location.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: BOLSONARO WAVING AT SUPPORTERS/ SOUNDBITES FROM BOLSONARO/ SUPPORTERS IN PAULISTA AVENUE/ SOUNDBITES FROM SUPPORTERS

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL (JUNE 29, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all) A

1. SUPPORTERS ON PAULISTA AVENUE LISTENING TO SPEAKER

2. VARIOUS OF FORMER PRESIDENT JAIR BOLSONARO GREETING SUPPORTERS UPON HIS ARRIVAL

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) FORMER PRESIDENT, JAIR BOLSONARO, SAYING:

“We can solve Brazil's problems. Let me repeat: give me 50% of the Chamber of Deputies and 50% of the Senate, and I will change Brazil's destiny.”

4. SUPPORTERS AT RALLY

5. SIGN READING (English): “We don’t want communism in Brazil”

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BOLSONARO SUPPORTER, DENCLIVANCI SIQUEIRA, SAYING:

“First of all, justice—for our innocent patriots who are imprisoned and our freedom, which is at serious risk as it is on the brink. So, we are here fighting for justice and freedom, above all.”

7. CROWDS AT RALLY CHEERING FOR BOLSONARO

8. SUPPORTERS LISTENING TO SPEAKER

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BOLSONARO SUPPORTER, DINAH GASPAR FERREIRA, SAYING:

“Today we are on the streets crying out for freedom, for justice, because we can't stand this government that is in power any longer. There is too much corruption. We have to put an end to it.”

10. SUPPORTER WAVING BRAZILIAN FLAG

11. BANNER READING (Portuguese): “Amnesty now”

12. SUPPORTERS ON PAULISTA AVENUE

13. SIGN BEARING MESSAGE FOR U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO

14. SUPPORTER WAVING BRAZILIAN FLAG

15. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) FORMER PRESIDENT, JAIR BOLSONARO, SAYING:

“On December 30 (of 2022), thank God, I decided to leave Brazil. Something made me leave Brazil. It wasn't just to avoid passing the (presidential) sash (ed’s note: to then president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva). I would never pass the sash to a thief.”

16. SUPPORTER WITH FISTS UP

17. BOLSONARO CHEERING FROM STAGE

18. ISRAELI, U.S. AND BRAZILIAN FLAGS WAVING IN RALLY