Brazilian military officials charged with dereliction of duty during Jan. 8 riots

The Brazilian Federal Police detained this Tuesday a high ranking military police officer who directed security operations in Brasilia for "dereliction of duty," purportedly for not taking more preventative measures to stop theJan. 8  riot caused by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, according to local reports.

Colonel Jorge Eduardo Naime was arrested as a result of an order mandated by the Supreme Court as part of the "Lesa Pátria" investigation aimed at identifying those who participated, financed or encouraged the riots, including military officials, law enforcement agents and first responders. 

Naime, former Operations Commander of the Federal District Military Police was not the only official charged. The Brazilian government also charged an assistant captain of the General Command, a major and an agent who all stand accused of facilitating the entry of the vandals, reported Infobae.

Thousands of Bolsonaristas protested in front of barracks in several Brazilian cities demanding a military intervention to overthrow the current president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. They stormed the headquarters of the three government branches on Jan. 8. 

The protesters justified their actions by asserting that Bolsonaro's purported defeat against Lula da Silva in the October elections was the result of election corruption.

Since the riots occurred, more than 1,800 people have been arrested and more than a third remain in custody and are charged with various offenses. 

Minister of Justice Flávio Dino said, "the Federal Police continues to carry out the investigative work" and the reports "are being delivered to the Judiciary and the Public Ministry."

Following the assault on democratic institutions, Bolsonaro rejected the acts, saying they were "out of the norm."

"Peaceful demonstrations are part of democracy. However, looting and invasions of public buildings like those that occurred today, as well as those practiced by the left in 2013 and 2017, are out of order," he said.