Brazil launches hearings in inquiry into government building attacks

Yesterday, a legislative committee investigating the January 8 assault on Brazil’s key government buildings in Brasília began its first round of hearings, starting with Silvinei Vasques, former director-general of the Federal Highway Police (PRF).

The committee members are scrutinizing the events leading up to the January 8 attacks to comprehend the sequence of events.

In his testimony, Vasques refuted claims that the PRF had initiated operations on roads in the country’s northeast during the October 30, 2022, second round of elections to obstruct voters from reaching voting stations.

According to Vasques, a notable supporter of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022), “We have 13,000 policemen.”

Many of our officers voted for President Lula. It’s an impossible crime. It didn’t occur, and there was no way it could have happened.”

On January 8, Bolsonaro’s followers breached the National Congress (Legislative), the Planalto Palace (Executive), and the Supreme Court (Judicial) buildings, resulting in significant property damage.

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