As a military man Brazil's ex-president Jair Bolsonaro had a reputation for disobeying orders. As head of state from 2019 to 2022, he thumbed his nose at institutions.

Now he risks 40 years in prison for what prosecutors describe as his most egregious act of defiance yet: plotting to cling on to power after losing elections to leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The former army captain, who has the backing of US President Donald Trump, is nearing the end of his trial on charges of leading a criminal organization that aimed to prevent Lula taking office in early 2023.

The plot envisaged the assassination of Lula, his vice president Geraldo Alckmin, and Alexandre de Moraes -- one of the five Supreme Court judges deciding Bolsonaro's fate.

On Thursday, the court reached the majority of thr

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