In an unexpected move, the Brazilian police raided the addresses of certain influential supporters of President Jared Bolsonaro as a part of an investigation into fake news network.
The investigators believe that the fake news network could be directly linked to Bolsonaro’s 37-year-old son, Carlos Bolsonaro.
During the raid, the Brazilian police targeted Bolsonaro’s most ardent supporters and cheerleaders, including several influential and eclectic individuals. Some of the people raided during the investigation include comic and musician who runs a JK Rowling parody, a multimillionaire retail magnate and a famous hard-right blogger.
There has been a mixed reaction to the Brazilian police’s action. While Bolsonaro’s opposition is happy and considering it as a moment of rejoicing, Bolosonaro’s supporters have criticized the activity to investigate and seize the personal belongings of people during the raid.
Carlos called it an “unconstitutional, political and ideological” investigation. Last month, he was identified by a leading Brazilian newspaper as an important member of a“criminal fake news racket” that defames and threatens Brazilian authorities.
During the raids, the personal phones, as well as computers of several people, were seized.
The police are said to have exploited 29 search warrants as a part of the investigations to look into the fake news network and identify who provides them finances to carry out its activities.
President’s top adviser Filipe Martins alleged that people are being treated like criminals for expressing their views.
“Journalists, comedians and ordinary citizens who acted spontaneously are being treated like criminals for daring to express views that displeased the establishment,” he said in a tweet.
Jornalistas, humoristas e cidadãos comuns que atuam de modo espontâneo estão sendo tratados como bandidos por ousar manifestar opiniões que desagradam o establishment; tudo sob os aplausos de gente que diz defender a democracia e a constituição. Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
— Filipe G. Martins (@filgmartin) May 27, 2020
The Socialism and Liberty party, on the other hand, accuses Bolsonaro and his family of building a fake news network and using public money for criminal activities.
“The Bolsonaro family … has built a fake news network that operates from within the presidential palace and the offices of congressional allies. This is public money being used to commit crimes,” he said in a tweet.
A família de Bolsonaro, através de Carluxo e Eduardo, montou uma rede de fake news que funciona dentro do Planalto e gabinetes de deputados aliados. É dinheiro público usado p/ cometer crimes. A decisão do ministro Alexandre de Moraes é fundamental para desmontar essa quadrilha.
— Marcelo Freixo 40 (@MarceloFreixo) May 27, 2020
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
