Explosions outside Brazil’s Supreme Court that left one dead investigated as a suicide attack, official says

By Julia Vargas Jones and Helen Regan, CNN

(CNN) — Two explosions outside Brazil’s Supreme Court on Wednesday that left one person dead and prompted the evacuation of court staff in the capital Brasilia, are being investigated as a suicide attack, authorities said.

The first explosion originated in a car at 7:30 p.m. local time, Celina Leão, the vice-governor of the Federal District told reporters late Wednesday. CNN Brasil earlier reported the blast took place on a street next to Annex 4 of the nearby Congress.

A suspect then tried to enter the Supreme Court building, but was unable to, and a second explosion was detonated outside the door, Leão added. There were no other victims of the attack, she said.

The vice-governor said police were investigating the incident as a suicide attack as there are no other suspects or people potentially involved.

One line of investigation being pursued is this was a “lone wolf” attack, Leão said. There are still “artifacts” on the suspect’s body, which could potentially be explosives, she added.

A car found at the scene was registered to the same person authorities believe to be the attacker, Leão said.

Police say they are still investigating and sweeping the area. Federal security police are on the scene and the Three Powers Plaza, which is home to all three branches of Brazil’s government, has been blocked off.

CNN Brasil said the court’s justices had been evacuated following the explosions.

The incident comes five days before Brazil gets ready to host global leaders for the Group of 20 (G20) major economies in Rio de Janeiro. Chinese leader Xi Jinping is scheduled to meet Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for a state visit in Brasilia on November 20.

Attorney General Jorge Messias condemned the attack, saying federal police would “investigate the explosions in the perimeter of the Three Powers Plaza with rigor and urgency.”

“I strongly condemn the attacks against the Supreme Federal Court and the House of Representatives. I express my solidarity with the ministers and parliamentarians,” he said on X. “We need to understand the motivation behind these attacks, as well as to restore peace and security as quickly as possible.”

Government-run news agency Agencia Brasil and CNN affiliate CNN Brasil reported the suspected attacker was from southern Brazil and had previously run for local office under former President Jair Bolsonaro’s right-wing party.

CNN cannot independently confirm the reports and authorities in Brasilia have not released the suspect’s identity. Leão said there “is a line of investigation about the identity of the person” but further information won’t be released until the body is examined.

The Three Powers Plaza was the site of mass protests and attacks on January 8, when supporters of Bolsonaro stormed the area.

There has been growing discontentment with the court as it has broadened its authority over cases involving political extremism, disinformation, and threats to democratic order.

While some view this as essential to protecting Brazil’s democracy, critics have decried it as judicial overreach aimed at curtailing conservative voices.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

The-CNN-Wire
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