Brazil’s Spy Agency Under Bolsonaro Allegedly Spied on Justices and Politicians, According to Reuters

By Ricardo Brito and Lisandra Paraguassu

BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s intelligence agency, Abin, has reportedly conducted unlawful surveillance on at least three Supreme Court Justices and a former Lower House speaker during Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency, according to documents released by the Supreme Court on Thursday.

The disclosure of these documents followed a federal police search of locations connected to Congressman Alexandre Ramagem, who served as Bolsonaro’s spy chief. Ramagem is believed to have orchestrated the illegal surveillance of Bolsonaro’s political adversaries while heading Abin from 2019 to 2022.

This investigation by the Supreme Court adds to the growing legal troubles facing Bolsonaro. The former president, who is affiliated with the far-right and once served as an army captain, has already been deemed politically ineligible until 2030 due to his conduct in the 2022 presidential election. He is also embroiled in multiple criminal investigations that could potentially lead to imprisonment.

Under Ramagem’s leadership, Abin allegedly conducted illegal surveillance on the Supreme Court justices, the former Lower House speaker, and an attorney involved in the 2018 murder of Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco, according to court documents that authorized the recent police raids.

Ramagem, a former federal police officer and Bolsonaro ally who is eyeing a mayoral run in Rio, dismissed the court’s actions as unfounded. He stated, “It is a mix of old and outdated narratives used to criminally accuse people without any evidence,” during an interview with a news network.

Additionally, Brazil’s Federal Police sought to suspend Ramagem from his congressional duties, but this request was denied by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who approved the police raids, indicating that he did not see a current need for Ramagem’s suspension from Congress.

Abin has also been accused of preparing reports to assist Flavio Bolsonaro, the former president’s son, in a corruption case, and of interfering in investigations related to another son, Jair Renan Bolsonaro.

Flavio Bolsonaro has denied claims that Abin acted on his behalf, while Jair Renan Bolsonaro declined to comment. A representative for the former president did not immediately provide a response to inquiries.

Earlier on Thursday, federal police executed 21 search and seizure operations in various locations, including Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro. A police source indicated that cell phones and laptops, including one owned by Abin, were confiscated from one of Ramagem’s residences.