Around 1,500 Brazilians Arrested after Storming Capital
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Around 1,500 Brazilians are behind bars for storming the capital.
Those arrested supported former President Jair Bolsonaro who, like the former US President Donald Trump, pushed a narrative of electoral fraud for months without evidence, SBS News reported.
Security forces have detained around 1500 people following the storming of government buildings in Brasília, and dismantled a camp of supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro in the capital, Brazilian officials have confirmed.
After thousands of Bolsonaro's backers attacked Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace on Sunday local time, police in riot gear amassed at the pro-Bolsonaro camp outside Brasília's army headquarters while troops took down tents, Reuters witnesses said. The protesters were dispersed.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, promised to bring those responsible for the violence to justice after demonstrators broke windows and furniture, destroyed artwork, and stole guns and artefacts.
Lula, who took office on 1 January after a narrow October election win, was back at work at the Planalto presidential palace on Monday and met with his defense minister and the armed forces commanders to discuss the attacks that recalled
Pro-Bolsonaro truckers, who have caused havoc on Brazil's highways for weeks, held more protests through the night.
A toll road operator for the BR 163 highway that cuts through Brazil's top grain-producing state Mato Grosso reported several blockades that were cleared by dawn.
Police said blockages on another highway in Parana state were also cleared.
"There are still people trying to block roads and access to oil refineries," presidential spokesman Paulo Pimenta told reporters.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the governor of Brasília removed from office late on Sunday for 90 days over alleged security failings, and demanded that social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok block accounts of users spreading anti-democratic propaganda.
Facebook parent Meta said on Monday it was removing content supporting or praising the weekend actions. Telegram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Some analysts said Sunday's violence could strengthen Lula politically and affect policy in Latin America's largest economy.
Lula said the local militarised police force that reports to Brasília Governor Ibaneis Rocha, a former ally of Mr Bolsonaro, had done nothing to stop the protesters from advancing.
He decreed federal intervention of public security in the capital and promised exemplary punishment for the leaders of the "fascist" assault that he said was aimed at provoking a military coup that could restore Bolsonaro to power.