The explosions this Wednesday (13) near the Federal Supreme Court (STF) building and in a car in the parking lot of one of the annexes of the Chamber of Deputies caused security to be reinforced at the headquarters of all the powers of the Republic. The information was passed on in a press conference by the acting governor of the Federal District, Celina Leão, late this Wednesday night. Investigations into the case were opened by the Civil Police of the Federal District and also by the Federal Police. After the incidents, the STF, the Chamber and, later, the Senate were emptied.
According to information already confirmed by the DF authorities, at around 7:30 pm, the first explosion was recorded in a car that contained artifacts and was in the parking lot of annex 4 of the Chamber of Deputies. Military police patrolling the region were called and, with the help of the Congressional Legislative Police, prevented the incident at the location from reaching greater proportions. They prevented part of the artifacts from exploding inside the vehicle.
The man who would be the owner of the car also went to the vicinity of the Supreme Court and tried to enter the building and, according to preliminary information, he was carrying a backpack with explosive devices – it is not yet known what type. He was prevented from entering the STF. Subsequently, two more devices exploded near the Supreme Court. The man died at the scene. There were no other injuries in the incidents.
Until 11pm, the DF government had not officially confirmed the man’s identity. Celina Leão and the other authorities at the press conference stated that the body had not yet been removed from the location – close to the STF – and that it would still undergo forensic examination.
A “sweeping” operation was still underway on Wednesday night and the police were investigating whether there might be other artifacts in Praça dos Três Poderes or in the headquarters of the Powers – which had not been confirmed until the end of the night.
As a precaution, Celina Leão asked the presidents of the National Congress not to hold a parliamentary session this Thursday (14). The president of the Chamber, Arthur Lira, informed that all activities were suspended until 12pm this Thursday.
There was still no information about whether it was a solitary act or whether other people participated, nor about the motivation or whether there is any relationship with other events, such as the acts of January 8, 2023, which ended with the depredation of the headquarters of the Three Powers.
Communication to the STF
The acting governor of the DF also said that she was in contact with the presidents of the Powers and that Minister Luís Roberto Barroso, who is in charge of the Supreme Court, was informed about the progress of the Civil Police investigations. According to Celina Leão, it will be up to the STF to decide whether the entire case will be left to the Court, as there may be an understanding that it is related to other investigations underway there, such as that of digital militias, for example.
Celina was also asked about the absence of the DF governor, Ibaneis Rocha, and informed that he is on “official leave”.
