Brazil top court to investigate Bolsonaro role in Brasilia riots

FILE PHOTO: Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro arrives to the house where he is staying after being discharged from the hospital, in Kissimmee, Florida, U.S., January 10, 2023. REUTERS/Marco Bello/File Photo

BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil's Supreme Court agreed on Friday to open an investigation into former President Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly encouraging anti-democratic protests that ended in the storming of government buildings by his supporters in Brasilia.

"Public figures who continue to cowardly conspire against democracy trying to establish a state of exception will be held accountable," said Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who agreed to the request by federal prosecutors to launch the probe.