The trial of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro on charges of planning a coup d'etat will open Monday afternoon as the nation's Supreme Court hears from key witnesses, with the far-right politician potentially facing decades in prison.

More than 80 people -- including high-ranking military officers, former government ministers and police and intelligence officials -- are to testify in a preliminary trial phase expected to last at least two weeks.

Bolsonaro could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted of plotting to remain in office after leftist rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had narrowly defeated him in October 2022 elections.

The hearings are to begin at 3:00 pm local time (1800 GMT).

Prosecutors say Brazil's 2019-2022 leader led a "criminal organization" planning to declare a state of emergency so new elections could be held.

The 70-year-old politician is already banned from seeking office until 2030 over his baseless criticism of Brazil's electronic voting system.

Prosecutors in the current case say those attacks were aimed at discrediting the election and laying the ground for a........

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