A Supreme Court justice in Brazil has attributed the recent explosion outside the court in Brasilia to a rise in far-right attacks and hate speech targeting the country's institutions. The justice highlighted that such incidents have been fueled by the misuse of freedom of speech to offend, threaten, and coerce individuals.
The Federal Police are investigating the explosions as acts of terrorism and a violent assault on the democratic rule of law. The police director emphasized that the incident was not the work of a lone individual but rather a result of a broader discourse that incites such actions.
Security camera footage from the Supreme Court captured the suspect throwing explosives near the court building, resulting in his own death. The man, a former political candidate from Santa Catarina state, had been in Brasilia for several months before the incident.
The man, reportedly affiliated with Brazil's Liberal Party, targeted the Supreme Court, Congress, and the presidential palace. This attack comes in the context of ongoing tensions between supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro and the judiciary, particularly Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
De Moraes has been leading investigations into fake news and threats against the Supreme Court, actions that have drawn criticism from Bolsonaro and his followers. The former president, despite condemning the attack, has been at odds with the judiciary over electoral disputes and free speech issues.
The incident outside the Supreme Court is seen as one of the most serious attacks on the institution since a previous uprising by Bolsonaro supporters seeking to overturn election results. The judiciary has taken a firm stance against such acts, convicting hundreds involved in the uprising for various crimes.
De Moraes emphasized the importance of holding criminals accountable for their actions to ensure the country's stability and peace. The justice has faced criticism for his handling of political violence and disinformation, with some viewing his actions as necessary in extraordinary circumstances.
Earlier this year, de Moraes made headlines for ordering a nationwide ban on a social media platform following disputes over free speech and misinformation. Despite facing backlash from the platform's owner, Elon Musk, de Moraes stood by his decisions, underscoring the importance of upholding democratic values.
