Man dies from explosions after attempted burglary at Brazil’s Supreme Court

A man who tried to break into Brazil’s Supreme Court killed himself Wednesday in a series of explosions outside the building, which authorities said prompted the evacuation of judges and staff.

According to a statement from Brazil’s Supreme Court, two powerful explosions occurred around 7:30 p.m., shortly after the day’s hearing ended, with all judges and staff safely leaving the building. Fire officials confirmed that one man died on the spot in the capital Brasilia, although his identity has not yet been revealed.

Celina Leão, the lieutenant governor of Brazil’s federal district, reported that the suspect had previously detonated explosives in a vehicle parked near Congress. This first explosion resulted in no injuries, but increased safety concerns leading up to the incident at the Supreme Court.

Why was there an explosion in Brazil?

“His first action was to explode the car. Then he approached the Supreme Court and tried to enter the building. That failed and then there were the other explosions,” Leão said at a news conference.

Local media reported that the car involved in the explosion belonged to a member of Brazil’s Liberal Party, the party of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Leão noted that ongoing investigations would determine whether the car’s owner is the same person who died in the subsequent explosions outside the Supreme Court.

Leão said Congress will remain closed on Thursday to limit further risks. In response, Brazil’s Senate agreed to suspend activities for the day, and the lower house will remain closed until noon, Speaker Arthur Lira said.

Did this man act alone?

“It could have been a lone wolf, like others we have seen around the world,” Leão said at a news conference.

Leão stated that forensic analysis would be needed to identify the body, which remained outside the Supreme Court for three hours after the explosions. The explosions occurred about 20 seconds apart at Brasilia’s Three Powers Plaza, home to key government buildings including the Supreme Court, Congress and the presidential palace.

Is there political unrest in Brazil?

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was not at the nearby presidential palace at the time of the explosions, according to his spokesman José Chrispiniano. In response to the incident, police cordoned off the area and the Presidential Security Office thoroughly investigated the grounds surrounding the Presidential Palace to ensure security.

Brazil’s federal police said it was investigating and did not provide a motive.

In recent years, Brazil’s Supreme Court has faced escalating threats from far-right groups and supporters of Bolsonaro, largely in response to his actions against the spread of disinformation.

This article contains reporting from The Associated Press