Overview

• Federal police have accused former president Jair Bolsonaro, his son Carlos and over 30 associates of presiding over a criminal organisation that operated an illegal surveillance network during his 2019-22 term.
• Investigators allege the parallel ABIN structure invaded mobile phones and computers of four Supreme Court ministers, high-profile politicians, journalists and environmental agency officials.
• Former ABIN chief Alexandre Ramagem is charged with running the clandestine operation and current head Luiz Fernando Correa faces obstruction accusations.
• Evidence indicates information gathered by the spy ring was used by a covert presidential palace social media team to launch online attacks on targets.
• The sealed federal police report has been submitted to the Supreme Court and now awaits the attorney general’s decision on whether to file formal charges.