Brazil’s ex-minister of justice arrested for rioting after storming Congress: Bolsonaro’s role must be investigated

Brazil’s former security chief and ex-minister of justice has been arrested following the attack on Brazil’s government district. Anders Torreswho was fired as chief of security for the federal district of Brasília after Sunday’s riots, was arrested Saturday at the airport after arriving from the US state of Florida, the state police said.

The Supreme Court had issued an arrest warrant against him on suspicion of negligence and forbearance in connection with the riots.

Supporters of the right-wing ex-head of state Bolsonaro stormed the Congress, the seat of government and the Supreme Court in the capital Brasília on Sunday. They rioted in offices and boardrooms, wreaking havoc.

The security forces brought the situation back under control hours later. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva accused sections of the police and military of collaborating with the attackers.

Flew to the US

Bolsonaro lost to left-wing politician Lula in the second round last October and left office around the turn of the year. Even before the election, he had repeatedly questioned the electoral system without presenting any evidence. So far he has not explicitly acknowledged his defeat. Two days before the end of his term on New Year’s Day, he flew to the United States with his family. The Supreme Court on Friday announced investigations into Bolsonaro.

According to media reports, Torres returned to Brazil from the American city of Miami on Saturday. He was Minister of Justice from March 30, 2021 until the end of Bolsonaro’s term, after which he resumed his previous position as Brasília’s security chief. Governor Ibaneis Rocha fired Torres on Sunday and was himself suspended by the Supreme Court on Monday.

(dsc/sda/dpa)