SUPPORTERS of departing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro clashed with police in the capital city Brasilia on Monday.

The protesters set fire to several vehicles and tried to invade the capital’s federal police headquarters.

Brasilia’s public security secretariat said in a statement that clashes broke out after police carried out an arrest warrant. 

Earlier that day, Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes had ordered the temporary arrest of Jose Acacio Serere Xavante on suspicion of taking part in “anti-democratic” protests.

Since the far-right incumbent lost the presidential election to leftwinger Luis Inacio “Lula” da Silva, on October 30, many Bolsonaro supporters have gathered at military barracks refusing to concede defeat and asking for the armed forces to intervene. 

Earlier the nation’s electoral authority awarded the incoming Lula and his vice-presidential nominee Geraldo Alckmin an official certification sealing their victory. Lula is set to be sworn in on January 1.

Mr Bolsonaro, who has repeatedly claimed that Brazil’s electronic voting system is prone to fraud and has not conceded defeat, told supporters on Friday that his political future was “in their hands.”

Flavio Dino, future justice minister in Lula’s new administration, said: “The depredation and attempted invasion of the Federal Police building in Brasilia is unacceptable,” while senate opposition leader Randolfe Rodrigues said some protesters, whom he called terrorists, had concentrated around the hotel where Lula is staying.

Officers rushed to the Federal Police headquarters as back-up and had to use stun grenades and rubber bullets, local media reported. 

Police blocked several avenues and streets across Brasilia while protesters set at least one bus on fire and were seen gathering metal barriers.