Five people were arrested on Thursday as part of an ongoing investigation into the allegations that the Agência Brasileira de Inteligência (Abin) was used by former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's government to spy on political opponents during his 2019-2022 presidency.

Brazil's intelligence agency allegedly illegally surveilled and harassed prominent politicians, journalists, judges, and environmental officials under the far-right government, the federal police said, adding that a "criminal organization of high offensive capability" was headed by the former president's spy chief, Alexandre Ramagem.

The "parallel" intelligence service allegedly utilized various covert methods to obtain information on individuals or groups considered rivals or irritants, intending to damage the reputations of the targeted organizations and Brazil's democratic institutions through the spread of online disinformation.

Members of the intelligence agency have also been suspected of targeting Internal Revenue Service officials involved in the corruption allegations investigation of Bolsonaro's senator son, Flávio Bolsonaro.

Abin targeted eminent political and public figures across the political spectrum in their spy scheme, according to a 187-page police report.

Targets, messages, and reactions

Those allegedly targeted include the head of Brazil's lower house Arthur Lira, and his predecessor, Rodrigo Maia; as well as notable allies of the current leftwing president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, including Senator Randolfe Rodrigues.

Conservative figures were also victims of this political espionage, including the former governor of São Paulo state, João Doria, four supreme court judges, two prominent political journalists: Vera Magalhães and Mônica Bergamo, and two senior officials from environmental protection.

"We need to find dirt [on a target]," a 2020 Whatsapp screenshot from one of the detainees said. 

One of the suspects and a military official exchange an online conversation about Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes concerning his role in preventing a right-wing campaign to replace the country’s democratic system.

"This is getting f***** up. This baldy is asking for a little extra," one of them wrote. The other replies "Just 7.62," referring to the 7.62mm rifle used by Brazil’s armed forces. The first person replies in English, "Headshot."

The targets who were named in the police report responded with shock and anger.

"While Brazilians were dying, the previous government – instead of using its time to buy vaccines – used its time to persecute and monitor the regime’s political adversaries," said Randolfe Rodrigues, the vice president of a congressional inquiry against the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic of Bolsonaro's government, to reporters.

"The behavior of a totalitarian and criminal government, typical of the worst of dictatorships," Rodrigo Maia said, condemning the scheme.

Flávio Bolsonaro has denied any knowledge of the alleged scheme, stating on X that he "had no relationship with Abin." He added that the accusations were an attempt to derail Ramagem's Bolsonaro-backed bid to become Rio's next mayor.

Ramagem has yet to comment on police allegations, although he previously denied being responsible for an unlawful espionage scheme while at Abin.

Police conclude Bolsonaro embezzled $1.22mln worth of luxury gifts

The former Brazilian president and his government have faced several investigations due to his alleged crimes during his presidential term.

The former president allegedly benefited from an illegal scheme, embezzling $1.2 million worth of jewelry and other luxury items received as gifts, a probe by the police concluded on July 8.

The police report, submitted to the Supreme Federal Court (STF), revealed that government officials had allegedly "acted to divert" multiple valuable gifts from foreign governments abroad, amounting to a total of $1.22 million, "with the aim of... the illicit enrichment of the then-president."

The jewelry included diamond-encrusted Rolex and Patek Phillipe watches, a necklace, rings, and cufflinks, according to the detailed 500-page report, detailing that some of the items were gifted to Bolsonaro's government staffers on his behalf during international visits. 

STF judge Alexandr de Moraes has given prosecutors 15 days to decide if Bolsonaro will be formally indicted, following the attainment of the jewelry cash sales "without using the formal banking system."

Paulo Cunha, Bolsonaro's lawyer, wrote on X that the heads of state "have no direct or indirect influence" on what happens to official gifts.

The right-wing politician denied any wrongdoing, claiming he was a victim of judicial persecution under President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva's leftist government.

The former president is also standing trial for allegedly falsifying COVID-19 documents and conspiring to plot a coup in January 2023, where thousands of his supporters called for Lula's removal from power through military force by storming Brazil's Congress, Supreme Court, and presidential offices.