World

Brazilian forces regain control after Congress stormed

Official says riots in the capital over

January 09, 2023
BRASILIA, BRAZIL - JANUARY 08: Supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro clash with security forces as they raid the National Congress in Brasilia, Brazil, 08 January 2023. Groups shouting slogans demanding intervention from the army broke through the police barrier and entered the Congress building, according to local media. Police intervened with tear gas to disperse pro-Bolsonaro protesters. Some demonstrators were seen climbing onto the roofs of the House of Representatives and Senate buildings. (Photo by Joedson Alves/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
BRASILIA, BRAZIL - JANUARY 08: Supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro clash with security forces as they raid the National Congress in Brasilia, Brazil, 08 January 2023. Groups shouting slogans demanding intervention from the army broke through the police barrier and entered the Congress building, according to local media. Police intervened with tear gas to disperse pro-Bolsonaro protesters. Some demonstrators were seen climbing onto the roofs of the House of Representatives and Senate buildings. (Photo by Joedson Alves/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

BRASILIA — Riots in Brazil that culminated with pro-Bolsonaro protesters storming Congress on Sunday are now over, according to an official appointed by the president to manage the unrest.

In a tweet Monday, Federal District intervenor Ricardo Cappelli said the situation is "under control" in the region, which includes the capital Brasilia.

Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes has ordered the military to dismantle all Bolsonaro supporters’ camps across the country within 24 hours and told police to arrest any protesters still on the streets, according to a court order.

"Absolutely nothing justifies the existence of full camps of terrorists, sponsored by various financiers and with the complacency of civil and military authorities in total subversion of necessary respect for the Federal Constitution," the order reads.

At least 400 people have been arrested after supporters of former Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro stormed key government buildings in Brasilia Sunday, according to Brazilian authorities. Bolsonaro supporters had been camped out in the capital since his presidential election defeat in October.

Commanders from the armed forces, police and the defense minister will be held accountable in court if the camps are not dismantled, Moraes said, adding that all highways in the country must be cleared on Monday.

The Supreme Court judge also ordered the governor of the country's Federal District to temporarily leave his post following the unrest.

Justice Moraes handed down a three-month suspension to Federal District Gov. Ibaneis Rocha.

Earlier, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said “a lack of security” had allowed Bolsonaro’s supporters to breach barriers set up by the Armed Forces outside the three branches of government

Journalists attacked

At least five journalists were attacked when supporters of Brazil's former leader Jair Bolsonaro stormed major government buildings in the capital Brasilia on Sunday, according to the Brazilian Investigative Journalism Association (ABRAJI).

Some reporters also had their equipment stolen by Bolsonaro supporters, it added.

Among them was a photographer who was assaulted by protesters shouting they would "take over Brazil," the statement said.

The association has recorded 77 attacks of political violence against the media in the country in the past two years “without the government and security forces taking adequate measures” to address violence by far-right groups, the statement added. — CNN


January 09, 2023
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