Brazil’s Former President Jair Bolsonaro Indicted for Money Laundering and Criminal Association

Brazil’s Federal Police have indicted former President Jair Bolsonaro for money laundering and criminal association in connection with undeclared diamonds the far-right leader received from Saudi Arabia during his time in office, according to sources with knowledge of the accusations.

A second source confirmed the indictment, although not for which specific crimes. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorised to speak publicly.

Legal Proceedings and Response

Brazil’s Supreme Court has yet to receive the police report with the indictment. Once it does, the country’s prosecutor-general, Paulo Gonet, will analyze the document and decide whether to file charges and force Bolsonaro to stand trial.

This is Bolsonaro’s second indictment since leaving office, following another in May for allegedly falsifying his COVID-19 vaccination certificate. Bolsonaro and his lawyers have denied any wrongdoing in both cases and other investigations into the former president.

Accusations and Investigations

• Police accused Bolsonaro of attempting to sneak in diamond jewelry reportedly worth €2.7 million and selling two luxury watches.
• Investigation showed that Bolsonaro received cash from the sale of two luxury watches he received as gifts from Saudi Arabia.
• Bolsonaro’s former aide-de-camp, Mauro Cid, allegedly falsified his COVID-19 records and sold the watches for a total of €62,000 in the US.

Reactions and Statements

Flávio Bolsonaro, the former president’s eldest son and a sitting senator, denounced the indictment as “blatant and shameless” persecution against his father.

In addition to Bolsonaro, police indicted 10 others, including Cid and two of his lawyers, Frederick Wassef and Fábio Wajngarten. Wassef expressed concerns about selective leaks to the press and emphasized his legal defense of Jair Bolsonaro.

Electoral Court Ruling

Last year, Brazil’s top electoral court ruled that Bolsonaro abused his presidential powers during his 2022 reelection bid, rendering him ineligible for any elections until 2030. The case focused on using government resources to claim the country’s electronic voting system was rigged.