SAO PAULO (AP) — Police have formally accused Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 others of attempting a coup to keep the right-wing leader in office after his electoral defeat in 2022. Their allegations threaten to torpedo Bolsonaro's hopes of returning to politics.

Former President Jair Bolsonaro could face criminal charges over accusations that he was involved in plans to stage a coup after losing the 2022 elections.

Police indicted Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro and 36 other people on Thursday for allegedly attempting a coup to keep the right-wing leader in office after his defeat in the 2022 elections.