unrest

Investigations in Brazil after the recent anti-democratic acts in the headquarters of the three powers. Investigations into signs of vandalism in the electricity grid and the inaction of some police officers are underway. The destruction of works of art marks an indelible outrage.

“It is the artistic treasure of the Brazilian people, it belongs to the country and its integrity must be respected,” said Margareth Menezes, Brazil’s Minister of Culture. It is a profoundly disrespectful violence. With works thus destroyed, we will always remember that violence against our memory and our Democracy must never repeat itself”.

Jail order for Anderson Torres, former Minister of Justice

In addition, a prison order has been issued for former Justice Minister Anderson Torres, a loyal ally of Bolsonaro, on vacation in the US at the outbreak of the revolt. Torres was at that time the head of the Security Secretariat of Brasilia.

Of the 1,500 detained over the unrest in the three-power headquarters, 600 have been provisionally released, while an investigation is underway as to why subordinates of former Brazilian justice minister Anderson Torres, who was sacked that same Sunday, stood by and watched as extremist groups invaded the public facilities and even photographed the moment with their cellphones.

Torres, a faithful ally of Bolsonaro, was in the United States at the time of the revolt, where he went on vacation after taking over the Security Secretariat in Brasilia last week.

Gathering evidence in looted buildings

“Brazil’s scientific police are investigating the Supreme Court and other buildings that were stormed last weekend. In the capital, Brasilia, physical evidence was collected which will later be juxtaposed against digital evidence widely shared online by the protesters themselves on social media.

The country’s justice minister said several investigations had been opened into those who participated in these attacks and that they may have helped finance some of these operations, such as the transfer of some of the protesters who came from other parts of the country.

Investigate police inaction

Questions have also been raised about the role of the security forces in Brasilia and why more has not been done to prevent rioters from reaching these buildings in the heart of the Brazilian capital.

Political and security analysts are wondering whether President Lula da Silva really has the backing of the country’s armed forces. So Lula’s challenges are huge. He will have to unite a deeply divided country in order to be able to dialogue with a large part of the electorate who do not see their leader in him. All this without ceasing to seek the support of democratic institutions”.

Anelise Borges in Brasilia, capital of Brazil, for Euronews