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Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will be investigated for allegedly encouraging protests that ended with his supporters storming several government buildings.
In scenes reminiscent of the US Capitol riots from nearly two years ago to this day, thousands of rioters invaded the nation’s Supreme Court, Presidential Palace, Congress and the Ministries Building last Sunday.
About 1,500 people were arrested, and President Lula da Silva vowed to find and punish anyone involved with “the full force of the law”.
Brazil’s Supreme Court has now agreed to open an investigation into whether the ugly scenes were instigated by the president’s predecessor, just as American politicians have conducted an investigation into Donald Trump’s role in those in Washington.
Judge Alexander De Moraes granted the federal prosecutors’ request, saying, “Public figures who continue to cowardly plot against democracy attempting to establish an exceptional case will be held accountable.”
Prosecutors say Bolsonaro, who is in the United States for medical treatment, will be investigated for possible “incitement and intellectual authorship of anti-democratic acts that led to vandalism and violence.”
Read more: Who are the protesters who stormed the Brazilian capital?
3:16 What is happening in the capital of Brazil?
Bolsonaro’s attempt to discredit the elections
It comes after the 67-year-old far-right former military officer who has been likened to Trump posted a video to Facebook claiming that Lula’s narrow victory in the October election was illegitimate.
Mr Bolsonaro said he was not voted in, but was chosen by the Supreme Court.
Prosecutors argued that although Mr. Bolsonaro posted the video after the riots, its content was sufficient to warrant an investigation into his behavior beforehand.
Leftist Lula, 77, who previously served as president from 2003 to 2011, won the election with 50.9% of the vote.
After that, Bolsonaro left the country, did not attend his rival’s inauguration, and has not yet returned.
A former justice minister, Anderson Torres, also went to the US, but said he would return to face allegations that he had allowed the protests to take place.
Both men are currently in Florida and no extradition requests have been filed.
Read more: Brazil faces the fact that democracy can be fragile
2:10 How the Brazilian rebellion broke out
Bolsonaro’s team fears preventing him from running again
Reuters news agency reported that Bolsonaro’s liberal party has beefed up its legal team to prepare to defend him in the riots and other allegations.
Bolsonaro faces several investigations over anti-democratic statements he made while president, including several unsubstantiated allegations that the electoral system was prone to fraud.
Party officials reportedly fear that while he may not be arrested, he could be prevented from running for president.
The next Brazilian elections are scheduled for 2026.
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