The arrests were the first time in the investigation that federal police have mentioned a plot to kill Lula and Geraldo Alckmin, his choice as vice-president, and stage a coup to stop him returning to power.
He was in possession of the plan to kill Lula, one of the sources said.
Lula won the presidential election in October 2022, defeating rightist incumbent Bolsonaro, and took office in January 2023.
They also planned to seize and kill a Supreme Court justice if they succeeded, police said, without naming the judge.
Others have been convicted by the Supreme Court on charges of an attempted coup, among other crimes.
Persons:
Jair Bolsonaro’s, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Lula, Geraldo Alckmin, General Mario Fernandes, Bolsonaro, General Fernandes, Alexandre de Moraes
Organizations:
SAO PAULO —, Special Forces, Reuters, Federal, Federal District, Crisis Management
Locations:
BRASILIA, Rio de Janeiro, Goias, Amazonas, Brasilia