Understand how the attack by Bolsonar coup plotters occurred in Brasília

The invaders broke furniture and windows, as well as historical objects and works of art. They also broke into ministers' offices and tore up documents. 

To date, the damage to public property, that goes into the pockets of all Brazilians, has not yet been calculated. 

What is extremism?

Do you know what the term extremism means? According to the Michaelis dictionary, extremism is the “current of thought that encourages the adoption of extreme measures to solve social problems; radicalism". In other words, it is practiced by people or groups rooted in their point of view and roots in a radical way. Is there any way to control this “thinking”? O Curto News delved into this subject. Come with us! 

What happened?

This coup movement has been going on for weeks in Brasília and in several Army HQs across the country; but this weekend, around a hundred buses arrived from all over Brazil. The action was combined via social media. 

It was around 14pm when the coup plotters left the camp to walk towards Congress. The 8 km walk was escorted by the Military Police. 

On the Esplanada dos Ministérios, where the National Congress is located, there were few military police officers on duty, so the barrier was easily overcome by the coup plotters, who climbed the ramp. Some police officers tried to control the invasion with pepper spray, but had to retreat. The Legislative Police were unable to prevent the invasion.  

After Congress, the STF and the Planalto were invaded. 

In the STF, the extremists destroyed everything in front of them. A door belonging to Minister Alexandre de Moraes was torn off. They stole food, removed armchairs and tore up documents. All the glass on the building's facade was broken. 

On the Plateau, they also broke into offices, vandalized and stole various things. Furniture, computers and decorations were broken. The First Lady's office, Janja da Silva, was invaded. The painting “As Mulatas”, by Say Cavalcanti, was stabbed. The gallery with photos of former presidents was destroyed. Weapons and ammunition were stolen.

The president's office has an armored door and was not invaded. 

What was done?

With the buildings taken over by the coup plotters, the PM increased the number of police officers and began using bombs and tear gas. In addition, they also had support from the cavalry and Shock Troops. Some police officers and horses were attacked.  

The DF Security Secretary, Anderson Towers, was in the United States. Torres was Minister of Justice until the end of the government Bolsonaro. He was fired by the governor of the Federal District and the federal government asked the STF for Torres' arrest. 

On Saturday (7), the head of the Senate police asked the DF government for reinforcement because he had received information that Bolsonarists were preparing the invasion. He said he was ignored.

At the time of the attack, the president Squid (PT) was in Araraquara (SP) and returned to the federal capital the same night. On Sunday, he signed an intervention decree for the federal government to take over public security in the DF until January 31st. 

In the early hours of this Monday (9), the minister of Supreme Court, Alexandre de Moraes, removed the governor of DF, Ibaneis Rocha, for 90 days. 

prisons

According to the most recent report from the DF Civil Police, released this Monday (9), 204 people were arrested red-handed in yesterday's coup acts. This morning, 1.200 people were detained by the Federal Police in front of the Army headquarters in Brasília.

Those arrested may face charges of various crimes, including coup d'état, which carries up to 12 years in prison.

What a coup d'état is and how it is constructed. “They will not pass!”

Hated by the Brazilian progressive camp and recently very present in the vocabulary of supporters of the right, which has governed Brazil for four years, the word coup, in itself, refers to something bad. Sudden and violent movement, bruise, violent blow are some of its meanings listed in dictionaries. When talking about a coup d'état, things get worse, because the expression presupposes a break with established rules and Brazilians know very well what that means. Curto explain a little more.

Crimes

See a list of possible crimes committed:

• Damage to the Union’s public assets – qualified crime. Penalty: detention, from six months to three years, and fine, in addition to the penalty corresponding to violence.
• Crimes against cultural heritage – destroy, render useless or deteriorate property especially protected by law, administrative act or judicial decision. Penalty: imprisonment, from one to three years, and fine.
• Criminal association – three or more people come together for the specific purpose of committing crimes. Penalty: imprisonment, from one to three years (penalty increases if the association is armed).
• Violent abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law – attempt, through the use of violence or serious threat, to abolish the Democratic Rule of Law, preventing or restricting the exercise of constitutional powers. Penalty: imprisonment, from 4 to 8 years, in addition to the penalty corresponding to violence.
• Golpe de estado – Attempt to depose, through violence or serious threat, the legitimately constituted government. Penalty: imprisonment, from 4 to 12 years, in addition to the penalty corresponding to violence.

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