Brazilian police detain four people for alleged coup attempt

the police of Brazil said it detained four people and carried out several raids on Thursday as part of investigations into a suspected coup attempt during unrest by supporters of defeated far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

Authorities have been cracking down on a small but committed minority of Bolsonaro supporters who refuse to acknowledge the left-wing president-elect’s electoral victory. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

SIGHT: Alert in Brazil: arrested for planning a bomb attack wanted to cause a “state of siege” and military intervention

Bolsonarowhich has yet to concede defeat, has insisted on unsubstantiated claims that the electoral system of Brazil it lacks credibility, something some of its most staunch bases believe.

Thursday’s operation takes place a few days before Lula’s inauguration, on Sunday, and less than a week after police in Brasilia He said he had thwarted an attack plan devised by alleged Bolsonaro supporters.

SIGHT: Alert in Brazil: Bolsonarista placed an explosive in a truck in Brasilia days after Lula’s inauguration

The raids are related to the 12 December riotsthe day the victory of Lulawhen some supporters of the camp attacked the headquarters of the federal police and set fire to cars and buses in Brasilia following the arrest of an indigenous leader in favor of Bolsonaro.

Federal police said they were serving 32 search and seizure warrants in eight states under orders from the Federal Supreme Court.

“The crimes investigated are qualified damage, fire, criminal association, violent abolition of the rule of law and coup d’état.whose combined maximum sentences are 34 years in prison,” the federal police said in a statement.

According to Cleo Mazzotti, who heads the organized crime division of the Federal PoliceFour people had been arrested by mid-morning, with more arrests expected as police continue to search for another 21 suspects.

Two arrest warrants were served in the northwestern state of Rondoniaone in Rio de Janeiro and another in BrasiliaMazzotti said at a press conference.

The incoming Minister of Justice, Flavio Dino, applauded the operation, stating that its objective is defend the rule of law “protecting life and property” in Brazil.

“Political reasons do not legitimize arson, attacks on the federal police headquarters, looting and bombings. Freedom of expression does not apply to terrorism.” Dino tweeted.

Tension remains high in Brazil after the closest elections in recent years.

The Dec. 24the police of Brasilia He said he had thwarted a bomb attack. a supporter of Bolsonarolinked to a group of opponents camped in front of the Army headquarters, confessed to having made the device to provoke a military intervention.

Due to the growing fear before the takeover of Lula on January 1 in the capital, the Supreme Court of Brazil decided on Wednesday to prohibit registered gun owners from carrying firearms in the federal district until after the leftist politician takes office.

Source: Elcomercio

jack

I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.