A man carrying explosives died on Wednesday evening in Brasília after attempting, unsuccessfully, to enter the building housing Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court in what authorities are describing as a failed “attack.”
“This individual approached the Supreme Federal Court, tried to enter, but was unsuccessful, and an explosion occurred in front of the entrance,” Brasília Governor Celina Leão told the press.
Based on initial information, it appears to have been a “suicide,” Ms. Leão added. “No one else was injured,” she confirmed.
The Federal Police announced they have begun an investigation into the “attacks” on the Supreme Court, though no further details were provided.
The man was found dead in front of Brazil’s highest judicial institution following two powerful explosions that prompted the immediate evacuation of everyone inside the building.
“We can confirm that there is a body in front of the Supreme Federal Court,” a Federal Police spokesperson told AFP.
Earlier, a press release from the Supreme Court stated that “two powerful explosions were heard,” and judges, along with all staff, were evacuated from the building as a precaution.
The Supreme Federal Court is located in close proximity to both the parliament and the Planalto Palace (the Presidential headquarters) in Brasília.
The Presidential Palace closed its gates, barring any entry, according to an AFP photojournalist at the scene.
The Praça dos Três Poderes (Square of the Three Powers) was cordoned off by a substantial police presence.
Laiana Costa, an employee of the Federal Court of Accounts, which is also in the vicinity, recounted to the press that she saw “a man passing by” before “suddenly hearing a loud noise; I looked back and saw flames and smoke.”
According to a spokesperson for the Presidential Office, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was not in the Presidential Palace when the two explosions occurred, spaced about 20 seconds apart.
On 8 January 2023, one week after Lula’s return to power, thousands of supporters of his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, who lost the 2022 elections, stormed and caused extensive damage to all three institutions located in the square before authorities managed to regain control.
On Monday and Tuesday, Lula will host the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, where the heads of state and government from the world’s twenty largest economies are expected to gather. On Wednesday, the Brazilian President is scheduled to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping to Brasília.
Source: CNA-APE-MPE-AFP-Reuters/PX/MK
