Following the attack by radical supporters of Brazil’s ex-president Jair Bolsonaro on the government district in Brasilia, incumbent head of state Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited his damaged official residence. He found clear words for the rioters: “What they did today is unprecedented in the history of the country,” he said. “That was barbarism, that was fascists. They must be found and punished.”
Radical supporters of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro had stormed the government district in Brazil’s capital Brasilia – even the ex-head of state condemned the looting and raids on public buildings. Acting President Lula was not in the capital at the time of the attack. After security forces brought the situation back under control, the 77-year-old inspected the damage in the Palácio do Planalto in the Brazilian capital on Sunday evening.
The police have made 230 arrests
He also visited the Supreme Court seat and met President Justice Rosa Weber. At the time of the attack, Lula was in the city of Araraquara, São Paulo state, to assess the impact of severe storms in the area. Meanwhile, supporters of the outvoted ex-president had stormed Congress, the Supreme Court and the government seat of Palácio do Planalto. The security forces brought the situation back under control hours later. According to the police, about 230 suspects have been arrested.
Office door stolen by federal judge as a trophy
Inside the buildings, the rioters gave free rein to their hatred of the new left-wing government. They knocked over chairs and desks, smashed windows, damaged works of art and scribbled slogans on the walls. One attacker even took the office door of federal judge Alexandre de Moraes, who was especially hated by Bolsonaro supporters, as a trophy.
The police seemed completely surprised. It took security forces hours to regain control of the situation. The Marechaussee advanced with cavalry squadrons and armored vehicles to the Square of the Three States Powers in the center of the capital. Special forces use tear gas, helicopters circle over the government district.
Rioters were initially given a police escort
Especially in the beginning of the riots, the police did not cut a good figure. For days, countless supporters of Bolsonaro have camped in front of the armed forces headquarters. When about 4,000 other supporters of the ex-president arrived in buses in the capital on Saturday and Sunday and headed for the government district, they were even escorted by officials. Police officers took selfies with the demonstrators and filmed cell phone videos, as seen on television.
Lula blames Bolsonaro for riots
Brasilia’s security chief Anderson Torres was justice minister under Bolsonaro and is considered a follower of the ex-president. He was released on Sunday. Lula placed public safety in the capital under federal supervision by decree. Lula accused Bolsonaro of inciting his supporters. “They used the Sunday silence when we were still forming the government to do what they did. There are several speeches by the former president advocating this,” Lula said.
Foreign Minister Schallenberg: “Completely unacceptable”
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) condemned the storming in an English tweet “strongly”. Attacks on democratic institutions are “completely unacceptable”. Those responsible must be held accountable.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
