Former Bolsonaro Minister Arrested in Probe Over Brazil Riots

Author: Editors Desk Source: RT

January 14, 2023 at 22:57

Anderson Torres was Jair Bolsonaro’s justice minister until Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government took over Jan. 1. PHOTO: ADRIANO MACHADO/REUTERS

Anderson Torres was in charge of security for Brasília when protesters stormed buildings

BRASÍLIA—The Brazilian official in charge of the capital’s security at the time of Sunday’s riots surrendered to police Saturday morning as judicial authorities investigate what they say are a web of suspects intent on overthrowing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Anderson Torres, who previously was justice minister under the right-wing government of former President Jair Bolsonaro, arrived in Brasília shortly after 7 a.m. from the U.S., where he had been on vacation since last week.

Federal police arrested Mr. Torres, who is accused of various security omissions that permitted supporters of Mr. Bolsonaro to vandalize the presidential palace, Congress and the Supreme Court in the capital last Sunday. Mr. Torres couldn’t be reached to comment. He issued a statement condemning the violence shortly after it took place and on Twitter said the truth will prevail.

The arrest comes a day after Brazil’s Supreme Court authorized an investigation into Mr. Bolsonaro over accusations from prosecutors that he incited last weekend’s riots by not conceding his defeat to Mr. da Silva in the Oct. 30 presidential election and for months before the vote asserted it could be stolen, without offering evidence.

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