A bomb has exploded outside Brazil’s Supreme Court, prompting security concerns and an investigation into the attack.
On Wednesday evening, two bombs exploded near government buildings in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, resulting in one fatality. Officials report that the only person killed was the suspect responsible for the detonation.
The incident took place at the Three Powers Plaza, which houses the Supreme Federal Court, parliament, and presidential palace.
As reported by the newspaper Folha de S.Paulo, explosions were heard around 7:30 pm local time. One bomb detonated outside the Supreme Federal Court, and a parked car exploded near the Chamber of Deputies, which is the lower house of Brazil’s parliament.
Eyewitnesses reported to the news website Universo Online that a man carrying explosives approached the courthouse and detonated a bomb near the ‘Lady Justice’ statue located outside its entrance.
A video circulating on social media is said to capture one of the explosions.
The courthouse has been cleared, and both houses of parliament have suspended their sessions.
The governor of the Brasilia Federal District, Ibaneis Rocha, referred to the bombing as a “suicide” attack.
The fire department and police reported that the suspected attacker is the sole casualty. Vice Governor Celina Leao confirmed earlier media reports identifying the suspect as 59-year-old Francisco Wanderley Luiz.
According to Universo Online, the suspect had issued threats on social media targeting politicians and Supreme Court justices. Previously residing in Santa Catarina’s southern state, he campaigned for a position on Rio do Sul’s city council in 2020 but garnered only 98 votes.
