A man with explosives died Wednesday trying to enter Brazilof the Supreme Court in what appeared to be a suicideofficials said, days before the country hosted the G20 summit.

“This citizen approached the Federal Supreme Court, tried to enter, failed and the explosion occurred at the entrance,” Brasilia Governor Celina Leao told reporters, adding that no one no one else was injured.

The man’s body was found outside the court after two explosions, but suspicious objects around him prevented immediate identification efforts, she said.

The first explosion came from a car in the square in front of the court around 7:30 p.m. (2230 GMT). The second occurred seconds later, when the man tried to enter the courthouse, and that explosion killed him, the governor said.

The incident occurred ahead of the G20 summit next Monday and Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro which will bring together leaders from around the world. Among them will be WE President Joe Biden And Chinese President Xi Jinping.

After this summit, Xi is expected to stay and travel to Brasilia for a state visit next Wednesday.

The convergence of G20 leaders on Brazil was accompanied by a strengthening of security arrangements in the country, particularly in Rio.

Judges evacuated

The Supreme Court said in a statement that two loud explosions took place at the end of Wednesday’s session and the judges were evacuated safely.

The court is located on Praca dos Tres Poderes, which also overlooks the Presidential Palace and the Congress.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was not in the palace at the time of the explosions, a spokesperson said.

The presidential palace was cordoned off and a large contingent of police deployed around the square.

An AFP photographer on site said the area was cordoned off due to heavy rain.

Federal police said they had opened an investigation to determine the circumstances of the explosions and any possible motives.

Police patrolling the area noticed the car was on fire and saw the man get out of the vehicle, said Sergeant Rodrigo Santos of the capital’s military police.

A government employee in the capital, Laiana Costa, told local media that she saw the man walking by and “then there was noise, I looked back and there was fire and smoke coming out”, and the court security guards rushed over. .

The same area was the scene of a major tragedy last year.

On January 8, 2023, the seats of power in Brasilia were hit by an insurrection a week after President Lula defeated right-wing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in elections.

Thousands of Bolsonaro supporters, angry at his defeat, stormed government buildings, causing significant damage before authorities managed to reestablish control.

Brazilian Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco said the riots had led to “a change in security rules” at the presidential palace, Congress and the Supreme Court.

(AFP)