SAO PAULO — Brazil's Federal Police arrested Gen. Walter Braga Netto, a former Cabinet member and 2022 running mate of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, on Saturday in connection with an alleged plot to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election.

The Supreme Court authorized the arrest, citing "robust evidence" that Braga Netto obstructed investigations and sought information about a former Bolsonaro aide who signed a plea bargain, according to the Federal Police.

Braga Netto, who served as Bolsonaro’s chief of staff from 2020 to 2021 and as defense minister from 2021 to 2022, was previously accused alongside Bolsonaro and 35 others of plotting a coup to keep Bolsonaro in power following his election loss to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

In November, Brazil’s Federal Police released a report detailing a multi-step plan to undermine Lula’s victory.

The plan allegedly included spreading distrust of the electoral system, drafting a decree to legitimize the coup, pressuring military leaders to support the plan, and inciting riots in the capital.

Investigators also uncovered a plot to assassinate Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

According to police, Braga Netto approved the assassination plan during a meeting with co-conspirators at his home. While there is no evidence the assassination plot was acted upon, documents indicate the conspirators monitored de Moraes’ movements.

The Supreme Court also noted evidence linking Braga Netto to the provision of financial resources for the coup plan.

The arrest of Braga Netto has deepened political divides in Brazil. Bolsonaro, writing on social media platform X, called the arrest "questionable" and accused authorities of political persecution. Bolsonaro and his allies have denied any wrongdoing.

In contrast, members of Lula’s government and his Workers’ Party hailed the arrest as a victory for democracy.

“For the first time in Brazil’s history, a four-star general has been arrested for an attempted coup d’état. This is a historic day for our constitutional democracy,” Senator Randolfe Rodrigues said on X.

Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who authorized the arrest, has been at the forefront of investigations into fake news, threats against the judiciary, and far-right activities during Bolsonaro’s presidency. — Agencies