Brazil's Bolsonaro formally accused over gifts from Saudi govt: Sources

Brazilian federal police on July 4 formally accused former president Jair Bolsonaro of embezzlement for misappropriating jewellery he received while he was head of state, including luxury items given by the Saudi Arabian government, two police sources said.

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This is the second time police have formally accused Bolsonaro of a crime. He was charged in March with forging his Covid-19 vaccine records.

The jewellery, some of it made by Chopard of Switzerland, was valued at US$3.2 million (S$4.3 million) and included a diamond necklace, ring, watch and earrings given to Bolsonaro and former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro by the Saudi government.

Some of the jewellery was seized by customs officials at Sao Paulo’s international airport in October 2021 when it was found in the backpack of a government aide returning from Riyadh.

The police accused Bolsonaro of money laundering, criminal association and embezzlement, according to one of the sources, who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity.