The Federal Police (PF) carried out, this Wednesday (6), 10 search and seizure warrants against alleged financiers of the blockades on federal highways carried out by Bolsonaro supporters against the electoral result that confirmed the defeat of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in the presidential election 2022.
The Operation Mandatory Stop warrants were issued by the 5th Federal Criminal Court of Mato Grosso in the municipalities of Pontes e Lacerda (MT) and Campo Grande (MS).
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According to the PF, protesters blocked Highway BR-174, which connects the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso, Rondônia, Amazonas and Roraima to Venezuela, and allegedly attacked and threatened drivers who tried to break through the blockades.
Those investigated may be liable for the crimes of illegal restraint, bodily harm, incitement to crime, criminal association, violent abolition of the democratic state, among others. Combined, the sentences exceed 13 years in prison.
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At the time of the blockades, materials circulating on far-right channels on the internet said that the interruption of traffic on the roads was led by truck drivers. The Brazilian Association of Motor Vehicle Drivers (Abrava), however, denied any connection with the acts and promised to sue the financing businessmen.
“No one barbecues for free for anyone. There is a very small portion of truck drivers who actually support President Bolsonaro. But the other portion, 80% to 90%, wants to work and is being harmed”, said Wallace Landim, president of Abrava, to Congresso em Foco, at the time.
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“They are saying that truck drivers are stopping the highways to save the country, asking for military intervention and impeachment of Minister Alexandre de Moraes. To date, I have had no information that the businesses owned by the president’s supporters have closed, nor have the fertilizer factories and people who produce soybeans closed. They are behind it, but it is the truck driver who is taking the fame,” he declared.
Editing: Geisa Marques
