Explosives and timer found on suspect’s body after attack on Brazil’s top court

By Julia Vargas Jones and Helen Regan, CNN

(CNN) — A man killed himself while detonating explosives after trying to enter Brazil’s Supreme Court, authorities said Wednesday, in an attack on the political heart of the country that prompted the evacuation of court staff and legislators in the capital Brasilia.

Officers found explosives and a timer attached to the man’s body and are conducting an X-Ray assessment to determine whether there is further danger from possible explosives on his belt, according to a military police spokesperson.

“If there are explosives, we will decide whether we cut the belt or if there is a risk of a new explosion, or if we need to take other measures to neutralize the explosives,” Major Raphael van der Broocke told reporters.

The Three Powers Plaza, home to all three branches of Brazil’s government, was blocked off Wednesday evening after two explosions were detonated. Police have launched an investigation and a sweep of the area.

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

The 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.

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

Police also found a backpack that could also contain explosives nearby, and more explosives were found near a traffic cone in the area, military police spokesperson Broocke said. Earlier, CNN Brasil reported an eyewitness saw a man with a backpack near the Supreme Court.

CNN Brasil said the court’s justices and Congress 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, and US President Joe Biden is set to visit the Amazon rainforest on Sunday before attending the G20.

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 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, 2023, when supporters of Bolsonaro stormed the Supreme Court, Congress, and presidential offices.

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.

In August, the Supreme Court ordered the suspension of social media site X nationwide after billionaire CEO Elon Musk refused to name a legal representative in the country. The order escalated a monthslong feud over free speech, and outraged Bolsonaro supporters. In October, the court cleared the platform to resume service for complying with court ruling.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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