Brazilian police indict ex-president Jair Bolsonaro in case of embezzlement, misappropriating jewellery

The Brazilian Police on Thursday (July 4) has indicted former presidentJairBolsonarofor embezzlement and allegedly misappropriating jewellery he received as head of state, including luxury items given by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Citing two police sources, a report by the news agency Reuters said the jewellery,some of it made by Chopard of Switzerland, was valued at $3.2 million and included a diamond necklace, ring, watch, and earrings given toBolsonaroand the former first lady Michelleby the Saudi government.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Some of the jewellery was seized by customs officials at Sao Paulo's international airport in October 2021 when it was found in the backpack of a government aidereturning from Riyadh.

The accusations

The police charged Bolsonaro for money laundering, criminal association, and embezzlement, Reuters reported.This is the second time police have formally indicted Bolsonarofor a crime. He was earlier charged in March for forging his COVID-19 vaccine records.

In 2023, policesearched the homes of military officers who allegedly helpedBolsonarosell some of the jewellery in the United States (US). The search was part of aninvestigation authorised by Supreme Court Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes.

At the time, JusticeMoraes said the items had been sold and the sale had not been declared.

'Open and brazen persecution'

In a post on X, Bolsonaro's son and SenatorFlavio slammed the accusations against his father as"open and brazen persecution."

"Someone receives a gift, a committee of public servants decides that it is yours. The TCU questions and the gift is returned to the Union. There is no damage to the treasury! Then the group of PFs, handpicked for the mission, indicts the person," Flavi said on Thursday.

Apart from Bolsonaro,police also formally accused on Thursday former mines and energy minister Bento Albuquerque, whose aide had returned with him from a visit to Riyadh, Bolsonaro's former aide-de-camp Mauro Cid, who was allegedly involved in selling jewellery, his lawyer Frederick Wassef and his spokesperson Fabio Wajngarten, Reuters reported.

(With inputs from agencies)