Brazilian Prosecutor’s Office requests to open investigation against governor and former Secretary of Security of the Federal District

The Brazilian Prosecutor’s Office today requested the Federal Supreme Court (STF) to open an investigation against the suspended governor of the Federal District, Ibaneis Rocha, and the former Minister of Justice and former Secretary of Public Security of the Federal District, Anderson Torres.

According to the prosecutor’s office, the investigation aims to discover the conduct of those involved during what is now called ‘the acts of invasion’ this Sunday against the headquarters of the Congress, the Planalto Palace, and the Supreme Court.

The request for an investigation also comprises the former commander of the Military Police, Fábio Augusto Vieira, and the former interim secretary of Public Security, Fernando de Sousa Oliveira.

“A violent and anti-democratic mob, dissatisfied with the outcome of the 2022 elections, seeking the abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law and the deposition of the legitimately constituted Government, advanced against the headquarters of the Three Powers of the Republic, demanding a swift and energetic state response,” the Prosecutor’s Office stated in its brief.

Citing information disseminated by the press, the Prosecutor’s Office assured that the public security authorities of the Federal District were aware of the arrival on Saturday of demonstrators to the Urban Military Sector (SMU), where the Army barracks are located and allowed the police to escort them to the Explanada dos Ministerios, which was freed for the protests.

“Being faithful to the audio (released by the press), according to which the public security authorities of the Federal District, with full knowledge of Ibaneis Rocha, not only allowed but promoted the organized police escort, peaceful, accompanied by criminals who assaulted the Democratic Rule of Law, we will be, at least, before a criminal omission of the governor of the Federal District, who will have consented and concurred, consciously and voluntarily, for the grave crimes verified on January 8, 2023, in Brasilia,” argued the request.

After the terrorist acts, Ibaneis Rocha was removed from his position by the decision of Supreme Minister Alexandre de Moraes. He later declared that he respected the minister’s decision and repudiated the attacks. Earlier, Moraes ordered the arrest of Anderson Torres and former commander Fábio Augusto Vieira.