Brazil Supreme Court rift deepens as justice suspends federal police chief

Allegations of misconduct between two justices threaten to pull court into political battles ahead of upcoming election.Published On 8 Sep 20268 Sep 2026Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Andre Mendonca has ordered the suspension of federal police chief Andrei Rodrigues and the force’s intelligence chief Leandro Almada amid growing divisions that have tested the credibility of the country’s highest court.The suspensions were announced on Tuesday. Mendonca, appointed by former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, has accused Rodrigues and Almada of producing six illegal reports on the activities of justices.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Brazilian Supreme Court roiled by dispute between justiceslist 2 of 3Lula holds slim lead over Flavio Bolsonaro ahead of Brazil electionlist 3 of 3Brazil: Lula, Bolsonaro return to strongholds to launch runs for presidentend of listThe move was backed by a majority on one of the high court’s five-member panels.But it is likely to be challenged by the government, possibly pulling the administration of leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva into a political battle ahead of October’s presidential election.“Investigating possible eviden...