Man Dies in Explosions After Attempted Break-In at Brazil’s Supreme Court

A man attempting to break into Brazil’s Supreme Court killed himself in a series of explosions outside the building on Wednesday, prompting an evacuation of justices and staff, according to authorities.

Two powerful explosions occurred around 7:30 p.m., shortly after the day’s session concluded, with all justices and staff safely exiting the building, according to a statement from Brazil’s Supreme Court. Firefighters confirmed that one man died at the scene in the capital, Brasilia, though his identity has not yet been disclosed.

Celina Leão, the lieutenant governor of Brazil’s federal district, reported that the suspect had earlier set off explosives in a vehicle parked at Congress. This initial explosion did not result in any injuries but heightened security concerns leading up to the incident at the Supreme Court.

Why Was There an Explosion in Brazil?

“His first action was to explode the car. Then he approached the Supreme Court and tried to get in the building. He failed and then there were the other explosions,” Leão said in a news conference.

Local media reported that the car involved in the explosion belonged to a member of Brazil’s Liberal Party, the party of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Leão noted that ongoing investigations would determine whether the car’s owner is the same individual who died in the subsequent blasts outside the Supreme Court.

Leão advised that Congress remain closed on Thursday to mitigate further risks. In response, Brazil’s Senate agreed to suspend activities for the day, and the lower house will stay closed until noon, according to Speaker Arthur Lira.

Did This Man Act Alone?

“It could have been a lone wolf, like others we’ve seen around the world,” Leão said in a news conference.

Leão stated that forensic analysis would be required to identify the body, which remained outside the Supreme Court for three hours following the explosions. The blasts occurred approximately 20 seconds apart in Brasilia’s Three Powers Plaza, home to key government buildings, including the Supreme Court, Congress, and the presidential palace.

Is There Political Unrest in Brazil?

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was not in the nearby presidential palace at the time of the explosions, according to his spokesperson, José Chrispiniano. In response to the incident, police cordoned off the area, and the presidential security bureau conducted a thorough sweep of the grounds surrounding the presidential palace to ensure safety.

Brazil’s federal police said it is investigating and did not provide a motive.

In recent years, Brazil’s Supreme Court has faced escalating threats from far-right groups and Bolsonaro supporters, largely in response to its actions against the spread of misinformation.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press