Brazil's police investigate former President Bolsonaro's allies over alleged coup attempt

Brazilian police are investigating several top allies of former President Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly trying to overturn the results of the 2022 election and have searched their homes and offices

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Brazilian police are investigating several top allies of former President Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly trying to overturn the results of the 2022 election and searched their homes and offices Thursday.

Bolsonaro was not himself the target of a search but was ordered to forfeit his passport, an officer with knowledge of the operation told The Associated Press. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to publicly comment on the case.

The searches targeted among others Bolsonaro's 2022 running mate Gen. Walter Braga Netto, former adviser Gen. Augusto Heleno, former Justice Minister Anderson Torres and the head of his political party, Valdemar Costa Neto, the officer said.

A police statement did not confirm the identities of those targeted in the searches but said they were carrying out 33 searches and seeking four arrests in eight states and the Federal District of Brasilia, the country's capital. The probe was connected to an alleged criminal organization that “acted to attempt a coup d'etat” that would have kept Bolsonaro in power after his election defeat, the statement said.

The statement said the group under investigation prepared to claim fraud in the 2022 election, even before voting took place, "in order to enable and legitimize a military intervention.”