MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil's STF orders 103 searches targetting Bolsonaro followers

Police raids were carried out in Brasilia, where radical Bolsonarists set fire to a dozen vehicles earlier this week, and in various other states nationwide

Investigators were instructed to carry out 103 searches and four arrest warrants by Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) in the case of the “anti-democratic acts” that allegedly pursued a coup d'état against President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

 According to an STF statement, the documents were aimed at “groups that acted in the financing of road blockades and demonstrations in front of Armed Forces barracks” after the Oct. 30 presidential runoff, in 9 of the 27 Brazilian states.

These groups allegedly “encouraged not to accept or respect the result of the presidential elections”, in addition to “acting to break the democratic rule of law and install a regime of exception with the establishment of a dictatorship,” the STF said.

According to local media, several firearms were seized during the raids, including rifles and a submachine gun.

Among those under investigation are Carlos Von and Lucinio Castelo de Assumção, two regional deputies of the state of Espírito Santo, on whom the Supreme Court imposed precautionary measures, such as the use of an electronic anklet and the prohibition to use social networks or participate in any public event.

Police searches were also carried out in Brasilia, where radical Bolsonarists set fire to a dozen vehicles earlier this week. President Bolsonaro followers have since the elections demonstrated and camped at the gates of barracks nationwide urging military officers to stage a coup d'état to prevent Lula's inauguration.

They also staged numerous road blockades, which were dissolved by force a few days later. The Federal Highway Police (PRF) are under investigation for their alleged “omission” to free the roads at once.