PF targets general’s cell phone to map military personnel on 1/8 – 10/04/2023 – Power

The Federal Police are trying to identify people who appear with balaclavas during the attacks on the headquarters of the three Powers, on January 8, and are relying on the cell phone records of retired general Ridauto Lúcio Fernandes to advance the investigation into the participation of members of the Army in the episodes that day.

The suspicion is that soldiers trained in the Army’s special forces, called “black kids” (the Force’s elite troops), have guided the actions of vandals in the invasion and depredation of public buildings.

In statements to the PF, those arrested for having taken part in the invasions reported having received instructions on how to act during the invasions and depredations of the buildings.

Furthermore, investigators found through images that there was sophisticated action at certain moments of the attacks, such as the use of fences attached to each other to be used as ladders for protesters to enter and exit through the roof of the National Congress.

To guarantee access to the building through the fences, the protesters also used knots in ropes that, according to the police, were unlikely to have been made by lay people.

Through images and statements, investigators suspect that these people in balaclavas were directing other protesters to enter through the Congress fence.

The PF’s expectation is to advance in the case of the “black kids” through the identification of the characters and the records on General Ridauto’s cell phone.

Last Friday (29), the Federal Police carried out a search and seizure warrant against the retired general. He is being investigated on suspicion of having participated in the organization of attacks on the headquarters of the Powers.

Ridauto gave a statement and had his cell phone, weapon and passport retained by investigators. The investigation took place in the 18th phase of Operation Lesa Pátria. The decision of the STF (Supreme Federal Court) also determined the freezing of the general’s assets and values.

Investigators point out that even before participating in the acts, Ridauto gave interviews for podcasts in which he explained that special forces are experts in promoting irregular wars, using civilians with no combat experience to assist in conflicts.

“The irregular movement is that you recruit people who are not military or who have minimal experience […]will train and will turn them into a combat employment force,” Ridauto said in September 2022.

He further stated that the secret would be to recruit “dissidents and discontent” to “instruct them to be fighters.” “The special forces, their specialization is training these people, knowing how to do this,” he added.

Another factor that contributed to the suspicion of the participation of soldiers from the Army’s special forces was the use, on January 8, of “ballerina” grenades — the nickname given due to the fact that the explosive makes jumps on the ground while releasing tear gas.

The grenades were found in the Senate after the attacks. Congress’s legislative police do not use weapons; The Military Police of the Federal District also do not have the explosive. The Army uses the material in special forces training.

Ridauto was director of Logistics at the Ministry of Health during the administrations of ministers Eduardo Pazuello and Marcelo Queiroga, in the Jair Bolsonaro (PL) government.

During the coup attacks, Ridauto recorded videos and sent them to friends and family. In one of them, the general said he was “shocked” by what was happening.

“People just fought the tear gas battle. Believe me: the PM threw tear gas into the crowd here for half an hour and now they are here at the front and people are applauding the Military Police,” he said.

The retired general also said that the protesters understood that the military police were “following orders to defend property” and that they were “well-intentioned”.