Brazil’s federal police have recommended that former President Jair Bolsonaro face criminal charges for embezzling jewelry he received as gifts from foreign leaders during his presidency. The police accused Bolsonaro and 10 allies of attempting to keep and sell expensive gifts from foreign governments, such as diamond jewelry and an 18-karat gold set. They are seeking charges against Bolsonaro for money laundering and criminal association.
If convicted, Bolsonaro could face prison time, with legal experts considering the accusations of a coup plot to be the most likely to lead to imprisonment. Bolsonaro has denied the accusations and called the investigations political persecution, claiming the gifts were legally his property. The federal prosecutors are yet to charge him, but the country’s top federal prosecutor must decide whether to force him to stand trial. Bolsonaro’s lawyer declined to comment as he had not seen the documents recommending the charges.
The case adds to mounting legal troubles for the former president, including recommendations for charges related to falsifying Covid-19 vaccination records and a conspiracy to hold onto power after losing the 2022 election. Bolsonaro’s lawyer has argued that the jewelry was legally his and could be sold. The investigation revealed that Bolsonaro’s personal aide sold diamond Rolex and Patek Philippe watches at a mall in Pennsylvania, with police recommending charges against him as well.
The case highlights the legal challenges faced by Bolsonaro, who claims the investigations are politically motivated. The former president is seen as closely tied to former US President Donald Trump, who also faced legal challenges related to mishandling foreign gifts. The investigation into the jewelry case began in 2021 and implicated officials and allies close to Bolsonaro in concealing the scheme.
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