Malta Condemns Brazilian Rioters Who Stormed And Occupied Key Buildings
Malta has joined several countries in condemning Brazilian rioters who stormed the Congress and Supreme Court in Brasilia yesterday.
In a tweet, Foreign Affairs Minister said that Malta “condemns and expresses deep concern at the developments and violence reported in Brasilia and the illegal occupation of government quarters” and offers its full support to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Malta condemns and expresses deep concern at the developments and violence reported in Brasilia and the illegal occupation of government quarters. Full support to @Lulaofficial and Brazilian democracy.
— Ian Borg (@MinisterIanBorg) January 8, 2023
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola also issued a statement in Portuguese to express her “deep concern” at the riots to state that democracy must always be respected.
Profundamente preocupada com o que está a acontecer no #Brasil.
A Democracia deve ser sempre respeitada.@Europarl_EN está ao lado do Governo @LulaOficial e de todas as Instituições legitima e democraticamente eleitas.
🇪🇺🇧🇷
— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) January 8, 2023
Thousands of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro overran police and ransacked key government buildings in Brasilia, with the protest coming a week after Lula’s inauguration.
Police said they arrested 300 people, while Lula pledged to punish the rioters, who he described as “fanatical fascists”.
“They destroyed everything that they came across,” he said. “All of these people will be found and punished for this antidemocratic movement.”
Many people have drawn comparisons with how supporters of former US President Donald Trump had stormed the US Capitol on 6th January 2021 to protest Joe Biden’s electoral victory.
Cover photo: Foreign Minister Ian Borg with former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in 2022
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