Brazil Riots: Arrests Ordered for Top Officials After Capital Stormed

Image copyright: Reuters [via Al Jazeera]

The Facts

  • On Tuesday, the Brazilian Supreme Court announced it has ordered the arrest of the secretary in charge of Brasília's public security and the military commander in the country's capital city at the time protesters breached the presidential palace, Congress, and the Supreme Court.

  • Brasília's former public security chief Anderson Torres and police commander Col. Fábio Augusto are accused of being "responsible for acts and omissions" leading to Sunday's chaos, with the federal intervenor in public security, Ricardo Cappelli, accusing Torres of a "structured sabotage operation."


The Spin

Left narrative

Though unquestionably inspired by the US Capitol attack on Jan. 6, the pro-Bolsonaro insurrection in Brasília was much more dangerous than its American parallel as security forces were permissive and even supportive of Sunday's anti-democratic actions. Armed forces have long turned a blind eye to people camping around their barracks to demand a coup, and their plans of invading the Congress were publicly known.

Right narrative

The hypocrisy of Brazil's establishment is blatant and outrageous as federal district officials are being arrested for their alleged omissions that led to riots while Justice Minister Dino and President Lula also knew about the attack – caused by infiltrators – in advance and did nothing to impede it. Additionally, Justice de Moraes stated that democratic people who peacefully protested for months were "terrorists" without trial.

Nerd narrative

There's a 14% chance that former president Jair Bolsonaro will be extradited back to Brazil before leaving the US, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


Political split

LEFT

RIGHT

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