Clashes broke out last Monday night in Brasilia between police and supporters of the outgoing president, Jorge Bolsonaro, demanding the release of an indigenous leader after his arrest for inciting "anti-democratic" violence, a French News Agency photographer at the scene observed.
The riots broke out at the federal police headquarters, after the arrest - on the orders of Supreme Court member Alessandre G. Morais - of José Acassio Ceresieur Savanzzi for threats and acts of intimidation that called into question the "democratic rule of law".
Police officers tried to disperse the protesters using tear gas, flash-bang grenades and rubber bullets. The protesters, some armed with clubs, retaliated by throwing stones, according to the photographer. Buses and cars near the police facility were attacked, damaged, or set on fire.
According to Brazilian press reports, the riots broke out when protesters tried to storm the police headquarters to free the indigenous local leader, who was ordered to be placed under temporary detention for ten days.
José Acasio Sérere Savanzzi is accused of organising demonstrations of an "anti-democratic nature" in the capital, notably in front of the hotel where centre-left president-elect Luis Inácio Lula da Silva is staying.
According to the Attorney General's Office, Sérere Savanzzi used his position - he is the leader of the Savanzzi tribe - to incite indigenous people and "commit offences" to commit violence against the elected head of state and members of the federal Supreme Court.
Lula was present yesterday at the ceremony certifying his electoral victory, generally a formality as roughly half a month remains before his inauguration on January 1, when he will begin his third term in office.
After the outgoing far-right leader's defeat in October's election, his supporters blocked roads and protested for days in front of barracks, demanding that the armed forces intervene and prevent Lula's return to power. However, there was no violent diversion, as many feared during the election, estimating that Mr. Bolsonaro, a great admirer of Donald Trump, risked attempting something similar to the invasion of the federal capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021.
However, on Friday, against the backdrop of the presidential gate in the capital Brazil, Mr Bolsonaro told supporters: "the ones who will decide where I go are you. The ones who will decide in which direction the armed forces will move are you."
Source: Cyprus Times
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
