Moment Brazilian presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro was stabbed at rally

Via BBC

The front-runner in Brazil's presidential election, Jair Bolsonaro, has been stabbed at a campaign rally.

The far-right politician was attacked amid a crowd in the south-east state of Minas Gerais. A suspect was arrested.

Mr Bolsonaro had surgery for injuries to his intestines and is expected to recover, hospital officials said.

The controversial politician, who has outraged many in Brazil with racist and homophobic comments, has performed strongly in recent polls.

Polls suggest he would get the most votes in next month's presidential elections if former President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva remains blocked from standing. Left-wing Lula had been the long-standing favourite but he is currently in prison, appealing a ban on his candidacy because of his corruption conviction

Military police released a picture of the man suspected of stabbing Mr Bolsonaro

This is another twist - a dramatic one - in what has already been a turbulent campaign.

Jair Bolsonaro is the front-runner and he is in a hospital bed, while the only person thought to be able to beat him is Lula - and he is in a prison cell. It is a surreal situation.

One of Jair Bolsonaro's key campaign messages is that he will try to turn around the growth in violent crime. The fact that he is now a victim himself plays into the hands of his supporters, who see this as a very important problem for Brazil to tackle. Everyone - including his detractors - has rallied around him to condemn the attack.

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As it has happened so close to the October election, he won't be on the campaign trail for the next week or so. Nevertheless, his supporters will be strengthened, seeing that his concerns are their concerns.

This is a crucial time for Brazil, as the country heads towards the most uncertain elections in decades.

My view: That's terrible, why are human beings so cruel to each other?