A police probe in Brazil has revealed an alleged illegal scheme involving former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of profiting from the sale of luxury items gifted to his government.
Last week, Brazil’s Federal Police recommended charging Bolsonaro with money laundering and other crimes related to undeclared jewelry received between 2019 and 2022. Bolsonaro, who insists he is the victim of political persecution under the current administration of President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, denies any wrongdoing.
The police report, released on Monday, alleges that government officials deliberately diverted several high-value gifts from foreign governments to Bolsonaro, with a total value of $1.22 million. These officials allegedly sought to sell these items abroad with the primary goal of enriching the former president illicitly. The report, submitted to the Supreme Federal Court (STF), claims that the funds generated from these sales were transferred to Bolsonaro without utilizing the formal banking system.
Judge Alexandre de Moraes of the STF has granted prosecutors a 15-day period to decide whether to formally file charges against Bolsonaro.
This investigation originated from the discovery of an undeclared set of diamond jewelry seized by customs officials in October 2021. These jewels were reportedly found within a satchel belonging to Bolsonaro’s entourage from the Mining and Energy Ministry upon their return from a trip to the Middle East.
The extensive police report, spanning nearly 500 pages, provides detailed descriptions of the jewelry in question, including Rolex watches and diamond pieces from the renowned luxury brand Chopard. According to the report, after the case gained media attention, Bolsonaro’s team recovered and returned some of these items.
Bolsonaro’s lawyer, Paulo Cunha, stated on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday that heads of state have no direct or indirect influence over the disposition of official gifts.
In addition to this case, Bolsonaro is facing trial for allegedly falsifying Covid-19 vaccine records and for allegedly participating in a plot to overthrow the government in January 2023, when thousands of his supporters stormed Brazil’s Congress, Supreme Court, and presidential offices, demanding the military remove Lula from power.
