Brasilia: Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro breached security barriers on Sunday and entered the country’s congressional building, the Supreme Court, and the Planalto Presidential Palace.
Brazil’s Attorney General’s office (MPF) has said that it is conducting an investigation of all those involved in the breaching of the country’s congressional building, the Supreme Court, and the Planalto Presidential Palace on Sunday.
HAPPENING NOW: Pro-Bolsonaro protestors have stormed Congress and are holding a banner that reads:
“We Want The Source Code”. It’s being reported the protestors want the source code for the machines used in Brazil’s recent election. pic.twitter.com/BejrUWmpTd
— Anthony Cabassa (@AnthonyCabassa_) January 8, 2023
Speaking to CNN Brasil, Interim Senate President Veneziano Vital do Rogo said that footage showed massive crowds in Brasilia walking up on a ramp that leads to the congressional building and reaching the Green Room, which is located outside the lower house of Congress Chamber.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his concern over the matter. He called for abiding by the democratic ethos.
“Deeply concerned about the news of rioting and vandalism against the State institutions in Brasilia. Democratic traditions must be respected by everyone. We extend our full support to the Brazilian authorities,” PM Modi said.
As per the news report, footage showed Bolsonaro’s supporters entering the Supreme court and the presidential palace. The breaches come about a week after Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took over as Brazilian President after he defeated Bolsonaro in a run-off election in October.
Since then, supporters of Bolsonaro have camped out in Brasilia since Lula took over as Brazilian President. No session is underway in either house of Congress and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was not in the building. According to CNN, a team assembled for the newly-elected President was working inside the palace when the protesters entered.
Officials at Planalto Palace have been waiting for the Air Force to evacuate them from the building. A male protester was seen sitting at the desk of Brazil’s Congress president after the supporters of Bolsonaro entered the lower house’s building, as per the CNN report.
According to CNN, the video footage showed pro-Bolsonaro supporters walking through the palace and holding up Brazilian flags in a large window to groups of supporters who are on the ground.
(With agency inputs)