Explosions kill one man outside Brazil’s Supreme Court and force judges to evacuate

SAO PAULO (AP) — Two explosions outside Brazil’s Supreme Court on Wednesday killed one man and forced judges and staff to evacuate the building in the capital Brasilia.

The court said in a statement that two very powerful explosions were heard around 7:30 p.m. local time, shortly after Wednesday’s hearing ended. It added that all judges and staff left the building safely after the incident.

Local fire officials confirmed one man died at the scene but were unable to identify him.

Celina Leão, the lieutenant governor of Brazil’s federal district, recommended closing Congress on Thursday to avoid new risks. She said police believe the deceased man caused the explosions.

“It could have been a lone wolf, like others we have seen around the world,” Leão said at a news conference. “We consider it a suicide because there was only one victim. But research will show whether that was indeed the case.”

Leão added that only forensics can identify the body, which remained outside the Supreme Court for two hours after the incident.

Local media reported that the explosions occurred with 20 seconds between the first and second explosions.

The incident took place at the Three Powers Plaza in Brasilia, an area where Brazil’s main government buildings, including the Supreme Court, Congress and the Presidential Palace, are located.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was not in the adjacent presidential palace at the time of the explosions, spokesman José Chrispiniano said.

Police blocked all access to the area and the Presidential Security Office conducted a search of the grounds surrounding the presidential palace.

Brazil’s federal police said it was investigating and did not provide a motive.

The Supreme Court has been the target of threats in recent years from far-right groups and supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro over its crackdown on the spread of false information. Judge Alexandre de Moraes in particular was the focus of their anger.

Lula’s spokesman said the leftist leader will meet at the presidential residence with federal police chief Andrei Rodrigues and Supreme Court justices de Moraes and Cristiano Zanin.

Earlier, another explosion was heard in the parking lot of the Brazilian Congress. Police said the explosion probably came from a car, but no one was injured. Leão said authorities have already identified the car’s owner, but added that the two incidents could only be linked after investigation.