On Wednesday, November 13th, two explosions occurred outside the Supreme Court of Brazil, resulting in the death of one man. Judges and staff were forced to evacuate the courthouse building located in the capital city of Brasília.
In a statement, the court announced that around 7:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, shortly after the court session ended, two very loud explosions were heard outside the courthouse. The statement also mentioned that following the incident, all judges and staff safely evacuated the building.
Local media reports indicated that the two explosions were only about 20 seconds apart.
Authorities previously stated that the explosions were caused by an explosive device. The local fire department confirmed the death of one man on the scene but did not disclose his identity.
The explosions took place near the Three Powers Plaza in Brasília, where major government buildings are located.
A spokesperson for the presidency stated that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was not at the nearby presidential palace when the explosions occurred.
Police have blocked all access points to the area where the Supreme Court, Congress, and the presidential palace are situated. The President’s security office is conducting searches around the presidential palace grounds.
Federal Police have deployed a bomb squad to investigate the explosions in the central square of Brasília. The country’s attorney general described the explosions as an “attack” on social media.
A police officer informed a local television station that an individual found dead at the square had an explosive device on them, prompting a thorough examination of the body to prevent further explosions.
Over the past few years, the Supreme Court of Brazil has been cracking down on the spread of “fake news” to counter challenges and complaints from former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, often referred to as the “Brazilian Trump,” and his supporters regarding the presidential election results.
On January 8th last year, Bolsonaro’s supporters violently stormed the courthouse building here to protest his electoral defeat.
(Adapted from reports by the Associated Press and Reuters)