Bolsonaro’s supporters tried to attack the Brazilian police headquarters

Brasilia:

Supporters of right-wing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro attempted to attack federal police headquarters in the capital Brasilia on Monday, protesting the arrest of an indigenous leader in the first major incident of violence since the election.

Television images as well as video shared by federal police officers with Reuters showed burnt-out cars, a bus that had been set on fire, and the sound of explosions and what appeared to be rubber bullets being fired.

Bolsonaro supporters, wearing their trademark yellow national football jerseys, could be seen running from the scene carrying sticks and throwing debris. In another video, he can be seen trying to push a bus off a bridge in Brasilia.

The attempted invasion came after Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who led the investigation into Bolsonaro and his allies, on Monday ordered the temporary arrest of José Acasio Cerrere Zavante for allegedly carrying out undemocratic acts.

It came the same day the Federal Electoral Court (TSE) certified the October 30 election victory of Bolsonaro’s leftist rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as president. After months of unfounded suggestions that the electronic voting system was liable to fraud, Bolsonaro has not yet given up on Lula, but he has not blocked the transfer of power.

The incident evoked memories of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol by supporters of the political idol of former US President Donald Trump, Bolsonaro. It also raises security concerns on January 1, when Lula will take office in a public ceremony in Brasilia.

Senator Randolph Rodrigues, a key ally of Lula, said there were concerns about the physical safety of Lula and Vice-President-elect Geraldo Alcmin as protesters surrounded the hotel where they were staying in Brasilia. However, Lula’s team denied reports that Lula would be evacuated from the hotel by helicopter.

Brazilian Justice Minister Flavio Dino tweeted that Lula’s safety was guaranteed.

week of protest

Many of Bolsonaro’s supporters have refused to accept the president’s defeat, camping outside military bases across the country, urging the armed forces to overturn the result. Zavante, the indigenous leader, is one of those involved in such protests.

“I cannot accept criminals ruling Brazil,” Xavante tweeted last month. “Lula cannot be certified.”

On Monday, Bolsonaro met hundreds of supporters in Brasilia and silently hugged young children as they prayed for him. Last week, breaking his post-election silence, Bolsonaro said his position “hurts my soul.”

“It is you who decides where I go. Who decides which way the armed forces should go,” Bolsonaro told his supporters at the gate of the presidential residence on Friday.

In its statement, the Supreme Court said that Moraes “ordered the temporary arrest of the indigenous Jose Acasio Cerrere Zavante, for 10 days, because of evidence of the crimes of threats, harassment and violent extermination of the democratic state law.”

It stated that Zavante had led protests throughout Brasília and threatened Lula and Supreme Court judges “as head of the Zavante people for involving indigenous and non-indigenous people to commit crimes”. Used his position.”

The statement said that Zavante had “clearly called on armed men” to prevent the certification of “elected” politicians.

Tension spread after the arrest.

Flavio Dino tweeted earlier on Monday that “the attack and attempted invasion of the Federal Police building in Brasilia is unacceptable. Court orders must be followed by the Federal Police. Those who harm themselves should be offered appropriate resources.” should never practice political violence.” ,

Federal police did not respond to a request for comment.

Brasilia’s public safety office said it had secured the area around Lula’s hotel, and urged motorists to avoid the city center where several roads were closed.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)