Explosion in Brasilia, Brazil: Explosives and timer found on suspect’s body after attack on supreme court

CNN
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A man killed himself while detonating explosives after trying to force his way into Brazil’s Supreme Court, authorities said Wednesday, in an attack on the country’s political heart that prompted the evacuation of court staff and lawmakers in the capital Brasilia .

Officers found explosives and a timer attached to the man’s body and are conducting an X-ray examination to determine if there is further danger from possible explosives on his belt, a military police spokesman said.

“If there are explosives, we will decide whether to cut the belt or whether there is a risk of another explosion, or whether we should take other measures to neutralize the explosives,” Major Raphael van der Broocke told reporters.

The Three Powers Plaza, home to all three branches of Brazil’s government, was sealed off Wednesday evening after two explosions were detonated. The police have started an investigation and conducted an area survey.

The first explosion occurred in a car at 7:30 p.m. local time, Celina Leão, deputy governor of the Federal District, told reporters late on Wednesday. CNN affiliate CNN Brasil previously reported that the blast took place on a street next to Annex 4 of the nearby Congress.

The suspect then tried to enter the Supreme Court building, but was unsuccessful. A second explosion went off outside the door, Leão added. There were no other victims of the attack, she said.

The deputy governor said police are investigating the incident as a suicide bombing as there are no other suspects or possible people involved.

One line of inquiry being pursued is that this was a “lone wolf” attack, Leão said.

A car found at the scene was registered to the same person authorities believe is the attacker, Leão said.

Police also found a backpack nearby that could also contain explosives, and more explosives were found near a traffic cone in the area, military police spokesman Broocke said. CNN Brasil previously reported that an eyewitness saw a man with a backpack near the Supreme Court.

CNN Brasil said the court judges and Congress were evacuated after the explosions.

The incident comes five days before Brazil prepares to host world leaders before the major economies of the Group of Twenty (G20) in Rio de Janeiro. Chinese leader Xi Jinping will meet Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on November 20 for a state visit in Brasilia, and US President Joe Biden will visit the Amazon rainforest on Sunday before attending the G20.

Attorney General Jorge Messias condemned the attack and said federal police would “investigate the explosions in the area of ​​the Three Powers Plaza with accuracy and urgency.”

“I strongly condemn the attacks on the Federal Supreme Court and the House of Representatives. I express my solidarity with the ministers and parliamentarians,” he said on X. “We must understand the motivation behind these attacks and restore peace and security as soon as possible.”

State-run news agency Agencia Brasil and CNN Brasil reported that the suspected attacker was from southern Brazil and had previously run for local office under former President Jair Bolsonaro’s right-wing party.

CNN could not independently confirm the reports and authorities in Brasilia have not released the identity of the suspect. Leão said “an investigation into the identity of the person is ongoing,” but further information will not be released until the body has been examined.

The Three Powers Plaza was the site of mass protests and attacks on January 8, 2023, when Bolsonaro supporters stormed the Supreme Court, Congress and presidential offices.

There is growing dissatisfaction with the court as it has expanded its authority on matters related to political extremism, disinformation and threats to the democratic order.

While some see this as essential to protecting Brazil’s democracy, critics have labeled it a judicial power grab aimed at curtailing conservative voices.

In August, the Supreme Court ordered the suspension of social media site X across the country after billionaire CEO Elon Musk refused to appoint a legal representative in the country. The order escalated a months-long feud over freedom of expression and angered Bolsonaro’s supporters. In October, the court allowed the platform to resume services for compliance with the court ruling.

This is a developing story and will be updated.