SAO PAULO — A justice from Brazil’s Supreme Court addressed the media on Thursday, asserting that the explosive incident outside the court in Brasilia stems from a rise in violent far-right rhetoric and assaults on the nation’s institutions. Justice Alexandre de Moraes characterized this trend as a misappropriation of free speech that has led to intimidation and threats against democracy.

The Federal Police have classified the explosions, which occurred on Wednesday, as acts of terrorism and a direct attack on democratic governance, according to the director, Andrei Passos. He informed reporters that the assailant had attempted to breach the Supreme Court, indicating that authorities are not treating the event as an isolated act. “Even if it was committed by an individual, it is fueled by the broader narrative that drives someone to such actions,” Passos explained. “These incidents are not one-off events.”

Security footage from the Supreme Court, shared by the television outlet Globo, depicts the suspect approaching a statue located outside the court. Upon the approach of a security guard, he threw one explosive device and retreated, only to release a second one, triggering an explosion. Ultimately, the man ignited a third device, resulting in his own death.

Passos revealed that the man hailed from the southern state of Santa Catarina, where he had previously run for a city council position, and had resided in Brasilia for several months. Celina Leão, the lieutenant governor of Brazil’s federal district, reported that the man initially activated explosives within a vehicle stationed in a Congress parking area, which fortunately did not lead to injuries. He subsequently proceeded to the Three Powers Plaza, the location of the Supreme Court, Congress, and the presidential palace.

Local reports indicated that the suspect was affiliated with Brazil’s Liberal Party, the same party as former President Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro has openly criticized the Supreme Court in prior statements, placing particular blame on de Moraes, who has led an extensive investigation into disinformation and threats directed at justices of the Supreme Court. This inquiry has resulted in the suspension of several far-right figures from social media platforms and has led to some imprisonments. Additionally, de Moraes oversaw the electoral court’s ruling that barred Bolsonaro from holding office until 2030 due to allegations of power abuse related to the 2022 election.

Bolsonaro took to social media to denounce the attack, emphasizing the need for Brazil to foster a political environment where differing perspectives can engage without conflict. “It is imperative that Brazil cultivates a dialogue characterized by respect for arguments rather than resorting to violence,” he stated.

Critics of de Moraes argue that his methods may overstep legal boundaries in the effort to safeguard Brazilian democracy from political violence and misinformation. Yet, supporters believe that his aggressive strategies are warranted given the exceptional challenges facing the nation.

In the aftermath of Bolsonaro’s election defeat in 2022, his supporters invaded key government buildings in Brasilia in a bid to remove his leftist successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, from power, an event that drew parallels to the U.S. Capitol riots. The Supreme Court has since convicted numerous individuals involved in that uprising for various charges, including attempted coup and criminal association.

De Moraes indicated on Thursday that the recent explosions marked one of the most significant assaults on the Supreme Court since those events. He emphasized that “true reconciliation in the country hinges on holding all perpetrators accountable. There can be no peace while criminals escape consequences.”

Earlier this year, De Moraes imposed a ban on the social media platform X following a lengthy dispute with its owner, Elon Musk, concerning issues of free speech, far-right accounts, and misinformation. Musk has criticized de Moraes, labeling him as a censor and authoritarian, even as the justice’s decisions—including the suspension of X—were consistently supported by his peers. The platform was eventually reinstated in October.