Jair Bolsonaro accused of embezzling jewelry

The Brazilian ex-president Jair Bolsonaro has been officially charged with embezzling jewelry he received during his term as head of state, according to an article on the news website G1. The jewelry, including a diamond necklace, a ring, a watch and earrings, is worth $3.2 million (€2.96 million), two federal police officials reported on condition of anonymity.

Donation by Saudi Arabia

The jewelry was once given to Bolsonaro and his wife as a gift by the Saudi Arabian government, among others. Some of the jewelry was found in the luggage of a government employee returning from Riyadh in October 2021 and confiscated by customs officials at Sao Paolo International Airport.

Bolsonaro’s successor, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvacalled for an investigation, and one of his cabinet ministers described Bolsonaro’s actions as “smuggling.” Bolsonaro’s lawyer has so far not responded to a request for comment.

Last year, police raided the homes of several military officers who allegedly helped Bolsonaro sell jewelry to the United States. At the time, they said the items had been sold but the sale had not been reported. This is the second time police have accused Bolsonaro of a crime. In March, he was charged with falsifying his COVID-19 vaccination records.