Brazil court upholds conviction for bomb plot near Brasília Airport

A court has upheld the conviction of Wellington Macedo de Souza, sentencing him to six years in prison for his role in an attempted bombing near Brasília Airport. Souza was part of a group of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro who sought to create chaos and provoke a military intervention to prevent the inauguration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The decision by the 3rd Criminal Division of the Court of Justice of the Federal District and Territories (TJDFT) unanimously rejected an appeal filed by Souza's defense. The court confirmed his conviction for aggravated explosion.

According to investigations, Souza helped place an explosive device on a fuel truck carrying 63,000 liters of aviation kerosene. The incident occurred in the early hours of December 24, 2022, near Brasília International Airport. The plan originated in November 2022 when George Washington de Oliveira Sousa traveled from Pará to Brasília with firearms, ammunition, and explosives to join protests against Lula's election outside the Army Headquarters.

It was at this protest camp that Sousa met Alan Diego dos Santos Rodrigues and Wellington Macedo de Souza. The three allegedly conspired to commit crimes aimed at triggering a military intervention and a state of siege, thereby preventing Lula from taking office. On December 23, the day before the planned attack, the group finalized their plan for the explosive device. Sousa reportedly received a remote control and four detonators from an acquaintance at the camp, which he combined with dynamite brought from Pará to assemble the bomb.

Souza was responsible for transporting the device to the chosen target. Prosecutors allege that he and Alan Diego dos Santos Rodrigues drove around the airport area early in the morning, searching for the optimal time and location. Around 3:15 a.m., their car slowed beside the fuel truck, and Alan placed the box containing the device on the rear fender. The bomb did not detonate because the truck driver noticed the device and removed it before alerting the police.