Bolsonaro faces trial for luxury jewelry offence
Against Bolsonaro, a series of investigative proceedings are underway - among other things, a potential coup attempt after his election defeat. Now, a case involving allegedly smuggled diamonds and luxury watches could cause problems for the former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
The former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro could be called to court according to information from the Associated Press (AP) for money laundering, embezzlement, and membership in a criminal organization. The Brazilian police have formally filed charges against Bolsonaro, the AP learned from informed sources. The case reportedly concerns diamonds and luxury watches that Bolsonaro allegedly received during a trip to Saudi Arabia and failed to declare customs duties upon his return when he was president.
Brazilian Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet must examine the allegations and decide whether to file charges against Bolsonaro and bring him to trial. Bolsonaro and his lawyers deny any wrongdoing.
A delegation of the Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy brought jewelry and watches worth approximately three million euros from a visit to Saudi Arabia in October 2021. Some were later sold in the US, and the profits were credited to the suspects' private accounts. Bolsonaro has always denied the allegations. "The persecution of Bolsonaro is blatant and shameless," wrote his son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, on X.
"Brazen and shameless"
Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of the former president and a sitting senator, wrote on X that the prosecution of his father was "brazen and shameless." In addition to Bolsonaro, ten other people were formally accused by the police, including Mauro Cid, the former adjutant of the ex-president, and two of Bolsonaro's lawyers, Frederick Wassef and Fábio Wajngarten.
Wassef stated that he had no access to the final investigative report. He criticized the selective release of information about an investigation that should have remained confidential to the press. "I have to go through all this because I practice the right to defend Jair Bolsonaro."
Wajngarten wrote on X that the police had found no evidence against him. "The Federal Police know that I had nothing to do with what they are investigating, but they want to punish me nonetheless because I unwaveringly and persistently defend the former President Bolsonaro."
In addition to these allegations, the police also accuse Bolsonaro of planning a coup with associates to maintain power against the current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva after his election defeat in October 2022. Furthermore, during the Corona pandemic, they allege that he had fake vaccination passes made for himself, family members, and staff.
Despite the ongoing political investigations against him, Jair Bolsonaro faces another legal challenge in Brazil. Authorities have accused him of smuggling diamonds and luxury watches from Saudi Arabia during his presidency, failing to declare the necessary customs duties upon his return.
The ongoing politics in Brazil continue to scrutinize the actions of former President Jair Bolsonaro, with allegations of a potential coup attempt, fake vaccination passes, and now, smuggled jewelry and watches adding to his legal woes.
