Bolsonaro Government Minister of Justice
Brasilia Security Chief Responsible for ‘Policy Gap’
Vacationing in Florida during the riots
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (right) and former Minister Andresson Torres (left). AFP Yonhap News
The Supreme Court of Brazil on the 10th (local time) issued an arrest warrant for former President Bolsonaro’s closest aides in connection with recent riots in Brazil by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro by raiding the parliament, the presidential palace and the Supreme Court.
According to El Pais and others, on the same day, Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Morais issued an arrest warrant for Andresson Torres, former security minister of the Federal District of Brasilia, who served as the last justice minister of the Bolsonaro government in connection with the riots in Brazil. Known as Bolsonaro’s closest aide, he took office this month as head of security for Brasilia, the capital of the riots, but was immediately dismissed after the riots.
It was not clear what the specific charges were, but the arrest warrant stated that the chief of security had failed to ensure that adequate security forces were stationed in Brasília. He also approved the entry of more than 100 buses carrying protesters into the city, and refused to close down camps where supporters of former President Bolsonaro had been gathering for months. Local media reported that the authorities are in a position that former Secretary Torres was responsible for not stopping the riot with lax security management even if he was aware of the signs of a riot by Bolsonaro supporters in advance, or even if he did not know, local media reported.
“It was a sensitive moment for Brazilian democracy, with anti-democratic protests taking place throughout the day and the occupation of military buildings across the country,” Justice Morais said in the arrest warrant, citing Archyde.com sources. Reported.
It is known that Torres was away because he was vacationing with his family in Orlando, Florida, when the riots broke out in Brasilia. He is still in Orlando to this day. Orlando is also where former President Bolsonaro, who left for the United States last year, is staying. However, it is not known whether he met with former President Bolsonaro here.
Federal police raided Torres’ home in Brasilia. In response, former Minister Torres said he would return to Brazil to be investigated. “I have decided to suspend his vacation and return to Brazil to appear in court and defend myself,” he said on Twitter. “I believe in the power of justice and institutions in Brazil,” he continued, “and I am confident that the truth will prevail.”
Prior to this, former President Bolsonaro had also said that he would return to Brazil. Prosecutors have asked the federal court to freeze Bolsonaro’s assets. For this reason, there are also observations that former President Bolsonaro has already entered the target of investigation.