Brazilian Institutional Security Bureau executive Marcos Goncalves Dias Wednesday resigned following leaked footage of his participation in Brazil’s capital riots. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told reporters from Brazil’s O Tempo that Dias left of his own volition.
On January 8, 2023, supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro stormed the Brazilian congressional buildings, Supreme Court, and presidential palace. The attack followed Bolsonaro’s loss to current President Lula in the 2022 election. The attack occurred only days after Bolsonaro left office, with the intention of restoring him to power.
CNN Brazil aired footage of the attack Tuesday, showing Dias at the scene. The videos showed Dias walking around the Planalto Palace during the attack and interacting with the protestors.
Dias responded to the videos saying they were taken out of context. In an interview with GloboNews, Dias told reporters he had entered the building after the protests began, and was trying to get them out of the building.
Dias’ resignation follows a clean sweep of officials from the Bolsonaro administration. Lula’s office also says that 81 military personnel, including some from the Institutional Security Bureau, are under investigation for participation in the riots.