Brazil’s Federal Police have arrested five individuals, including four special forces operatives and one police officer, on suspicion of attempting to assassinate President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Vice President Geraldo Alckmin.
They are also accused of plotting a coup, according to the G1 news portal. The suspects allegedly planned the assassination for December 15, 2022, intending to prevent Lula da Silva’s inauguration following his election victory. The group is also reported to have aimed to restrict the functioning of the country’s judicial system.
The arrests reportedly took place in Rio de Janeiro. Among those detained are members of Brazil’s special forces, who had been involved in providing security during the G20 leaders’ summit, as well as a federal police officer. However, the portal later removed this information.
The Federal Police stated that on Tuesday, they carried out an operation targeting a criminal organization allegedly preparing a coup following the 2022 presidential election. The investigation is ongoing.
