Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro allegedly sought the help of a hacker to manipulate voting machines during the country’s elections, according to the testimony of hacker Walter Delgatti Neto at a congressional inquiry. Delgatti claimed that Bolsonaro offered to pardon him if he faced any legal consequences for his actions. However, the plan did not materialize as Delgatti was unable to access the source code for the voting machines. Bolsonaro’s defense team has denied these allegations.
Delgatti’s testimony comes in the wake of Brazil’s highest electoral court barring Bolsonaro from running for political office until 2030 due to his abuse of power and misuse of public media during the previous election campaign. The former president has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The Joint Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPMI) was established to investigate the election results and the storming of governmental buildings on January 8, 2023, by protesters unhappy with the election outcome that saw Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva become the current president. These riots led to substantial damage and unrest across several key government institutions.
It is worth noting that Delgatti was detained earlier this month by the Federal Police for breaking into the judiciary system. Bolsonaro’s defense team categorically denies allegations of wiretapping or illegal activities against any political entity in Brazil, refuting Delgatti’s claims.
While the allegations surrounding Bolsonaro’s involvement in a potential election hack are serious, it is important to maintain balance and consider multiple perspectives. The investigation by the CPMI will shed further light on the matter and determine the veracity of Delgatti’s claims. Meanwhile, Bolsonaro’s legal team continues to defend him against various cases brought against him since leaving office.
As the inquiry progresses, it will be essential to provide transparent coverage of the facts, ensuring a fair and comprehensive understanding of the situation. The Brazilian people deserve to know the truth about these alleged attempts to influence the electoral process, and it remains to be seen how this latest testimony will impact Bolsonaro’s political future.
