Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has dismissed the number two of the country's intelligence services, under investigation for illegal espionage, according to a notice published Tuesday January 30 in the Official Journal.
Federal police are investigating the deputy director of the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (Abin), Alessandro Moretti, whom they suspect of having been part of a clandestine network that used Israeli spyware, FirstMile, to illegally listen to hundreds of politicians and public figures under the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022).
On Monday, police carried out searches in several Brazilian states. In particular, she searched the home and office of Carlos Bolsonaro, municipal councilor of Rio de Janeiro and second of the four sons of the ex-far-right president.
Bolsonaro says he is "persecuted", Lula trusts Abin's director
Police also went to a residence where Jair Bolsonaro and his first three sons were in Angra dos Reis, a seaside town located about 150 km from Rio.
The former president complained of being "persecuted" by the current government.
“It’s nonsense,” Lula replied Tuesday during an interview with CBN radio.
Asked about his confidence in the current Abin team, Lula replied: “we are never sure.” But he added that he had "great confidence" in the current director of this service, Luiz Fernando Corrêa.
With AFP
The France 24 summary of the week
invites you to look back at the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 application