Police arrest man suspected of planting explosives in Brazil’s capital ahead of presidential inauguration

Sao Paulo
CNN
—

Police in Brasilia on Saturday arrested a man suspected of planting and possessing an explosive device a week before the inauguration of former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Police Chief Robson Candido said in an interview. Press Conference.

Police said the 54-year-old suspect had traveled to Brasilia to demonstrate in support of President Jair Bolsonaro.

Police have seized an explosive device found by a trucker in an oil tanker near Brasilia International Airport. Upon further investigation, police also found an assault rifle, two handguns, a revolver, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition and five other explosive devices in the suspect’s rented apartment in Brasilia, police said.

“This is unprecedented in Brasilia and we will not allow such protests that could harm people and public property,” the police chief said during the briefing.

Police said the suspect had identified others involved in the plot and more arrests would be made.