Politician attacks police with rifle and grenades
Brazil’s toxic presidential election took a surreal and violent turn after Roberto Jefferson, a former congressman and ally of far-right president Jair Bolsonaro used hand grenades and a rifle to attack federal police officers as they attempted to arrest him.
Jefferson launched the attack last Sunday after police arrived at his home in the mountains north of Rio de Janeiro. Two officers sustained shrapnel wounds while photographs showed a police vehicle riddled with bullet holes.
Jefferson was jailed in August 2021 as part of an investigation into social media mobs but was granted house arrest in January. Spotlight