BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Brazil’s federal police on Friday searched the home of a nephew of former President Jair Bolsonaro in connection with far-right protesters’ storming of government buildings in the capital on Friday.
Police said Leonardo Rodrigues de Jesus, known as Leo Índio by Bolsonaro supporters, was one of the targets of a series of raids that led to 11 arrests in different states. It was the first time a member of Bolsonaro’s family was involved in the investigation into the Brasilia uprising, underscoring political polarization in Brazil.
Police said those identified could face trial for crimes against democracy and criminal association.
De Jesus posted his picture near the entrance of the Congress building on social media on the day of the riot. Bolsonaro’s nephew later accused Linke of infiltrating the protest to attack government buildings. Police investigations have found no evidence to support this claim.
De Jesus has a close relationship with one of Bolsonaro’s sons, Carlos Bolsonaro, a city councilman in Rio de Janeiro. The two often performed together at the Presidential Palace in Brasilia when the far-right President was in office. Their visits were kept secret by the Bolsonaro government following criticism from the opposition.
Carlos Bolsonaro is the former president’s head of digital operations and a key part of Bolsonaro’s failed reelection bid.
De Jesus was one of Carlos Bolsonaro’s agents in Rio and moved to Brasilia in 2019. He joined a senator’s cabinet team and later Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party faction as a Senate adviser. He was later fired after local media revealed he was a “phantom employee” – someone who didn’t show up for work but was still being paid for the job.
In 2022, he ran for federal district council but failed to garner enough votes.
De Jesus has been under investigation by Rio de Janeiro judicial authorities since 2021 over allegations that he received cash transfers from the cabinet of one of Bolsonaro’s sons, Flavio, while he was on the city council. Public money was also allegedly used to pay De Jesus’ rent.
The Supreme Court had already requested the preventive arrest of De Jesus in connection with the January 8 attacks, but police said he had not yet been arrested. De Jesus can appeal the injunction, but said he had no means to pay his attorneys’ fees.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, at a meeting with state governors, assured that what happened on January 8 would not happen again, calling it an attempted coup