Brazil: Ex-President Bolsonaro prosecuted for not declaring diamonds given to him by Saudi Arabia

This article was originally published in English

Brazilian Federal Police Former President Jair Bolsonaro has been accused of money laundering and Criminal associations Regarding the undeclared diamonds that the far-right leader received Saudi Arab During his tenure, according to a source familiar with the allegations.

second source Accusation confirmedthough not for what specific offences. The two officers spoke softly. condition of anonymity Because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

Supreme Court of brazil He has not yet received the police report containing the allegations. Once he does, the country’s attorney general, Paulo Gonnetwill analyze the document and make a decisionI accuse and forces Bolsonaro to stand trial.

Second allegation on Bolsonaro

This is the second charge against Bolsonaro since he left office, following another in May for the alleged falsification of his COVID-19 vaccination certificate. But this charge dramatically escalates the matter Legal threats The divisive former leader faces a coup that is lauded by his opponents but denounced as political persecution by his supporters.

Bolsonaro had no immediate comment, but he and his lawyers haveYou have been previously convicted of any felony Both cases, as well as other investigations into the former president.

One of them is investigating his possible involvement in inciting a rebellion in the capital, Brasilia, on January 8, 2023, which sought to oust his successor from power.

Last year, Federal police accuse Bolsonaro of Allegedly trying to steal diamond jewellery worth 2.7 million euros and sell two luxury watches. Police said in August Bolsonaro receives cash From the sale of two luxury watches he received as gifts from Saudi Arabia for around 64,000 euros.

Brazil requires its citizens arriving by plane from abroad Declare the property whose value exceeds 920 euros and, for any amount above that exemption, they pay a tax equal to 50% of its value.

There will be jewelry tax exempt They would have been added to the presidential collection if they were a gift from Saudi Arabia to Brazil, but in that case Bolsonaro would not have kept them.

The research revealed this Mauro Cid, Former Bolsonaro aide who allegedly falsified his record COVID-19, Sold in June 2022 A Rolex watch and a Patek Philippe watch in a US store for a total of 62,000 euros. They were gifted by the Saudi Arabian government in 2019. Later, Cid signed an agreement with the authorities and confirmed everything.

A “blatant and shameless” harassment

Flavio Bolsonaro, Eldest son The former president and current senator spoke out in X following Thursday’s allegations that there was harassment against his father “Brazen and shameless.”

Besides Bolsonaro, Police made 10 other people accused According to a source, they include Sid and his two lawyers, Frederic Wassef and Fabio Waggarten. Wassef said in a statement that he had not had access to the final report of the investigation, and Condemns selective leaks to the pressAn investigation that is going to proceed under confidentiality.

“I’m doing all this just to practice law to defend Jair Bolsonaro“, wrote.

Last year, Brazil’s supreme electoral court ruled that Bolsonaro abused his presidential powers during his bid for re-election in 2022, which rendered him ineligible for any election until 2030.

The case centered on a meeting during which Bolsonaro used government officials, the state television channel and the presidential palace in Brasilia to tell foreign ambassadors that the country’s electronic voting system was rigged.