The Brazilian Federal Police arrested a firefighter this Monday, accused of helping organize and fund the January 8 riots in Brasília, during which thousands of far-right radicals stormed and ransacked government buildings. The courts have also issued arrest warrants against another two unidentified people.
All three suspects live in the southeastern state of Rio de Janeiro. Marshals seized their cell phones, computers, and documents.
In addition to the attack on the federal capital, the suspects reportedly also organized road blockades in Rio de Janeiro state — and participated in putschist campsites in front of Army garrisons.
The arrested firefighter, Roberto Henrique de Souza Junior, ran for Congress in 2018 but failed to win a seat. He is a member of the Patriota party, which has been supportive of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Electoral courts highlighted accounting problems with Mr. Souza’s campaign books.
The Rio de Janeiro Fire Department relieved Mr. Souza of his duties and stated that it “vehemently repudiates any act that threatens the rule of law.”
Over 1,100 people remain jailed after being arrested in flagrante following the storming of the presidential palace, Congress, and Supreme Court buildings. Now, the Federal Police are investigating others involved in the organization and funding of the riots.
On Monday, Brazil’s Federal Prosecution Office presented charges against 39 people who allegedly participated in the riots. Accusations range from seditious conspiracy to aggravated damage to items of intangible value.
Law enforcement has been able to identify many of the rioters through social media videos they posted themselves while ransacking public property.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversees the probe, has included former President Jair Bolsonaro in the investigation for allegedly inciting the riot. He also ordered the arrest of Anderson Torres, who served as the top security officer in Brasília (and, until the end of last year, served as Mr. Bolsonaro’s justice minister).
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