The violent incidents took place in the western state of Mato Grosso, after fights broke out during an argument in support of the two candidates. Bolsonaro follows Lula to the polls in an election riven by intense polarization. According to the police report of the attack, 24-year-old Rafael Silva de Oliveira killed Benedito Cardoso dos Santos, 42, by stabbing him with a knife. The suspect was taken to the police station, where he confessed and was charged. Speaking to reporters in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, Lula commented on the stabbing, saying there was a “climate of hatred in the electoral process that is completely abnormal”. Lula also suggested that law enforcement authorities should investigate whether such attacks “were ordered, or directed, or if it is a political strategy.” He provided no evidence to support the suggestion of orchestrated attacks. In a statement, Juanita Goebertus Estrada, Americas director at Human Rights Watch, said “all candidates must strongly condemn” the killing of Cardoso dos Santos, adding that “Brazilians deserve peaceful elections and should be able to engage in political debate without fear of violence or reprisal for their views.” The president’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In July, a similar attack occurred when a local official from Lula’s opposition Workers’ Party was shot by a federal prison guard who was shouting support for Bolsonaro. On Friday morning, a Bolsonaro supporter was left with a head wound and said he was attacked by Workers’ Party supporters who were waiting for Lula to arrive at an event with evangelicals in the city of Sao Gonzalo, in Rio de Janeiro state. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Bolsonaro, who has long railed against Lula and his leftist allies, has championed the idea of not accepting any electoral defeat, citing unsubstantiated allegations of electoral fraud and problems with Brazil’s widely respected electronic voting system.
