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Brazilian police indict Jair Bolsonaro in undeclared Saudi diamonds case

  • The ex-president has been accused of trying to sneak in jewellery worth US$3 million into the country and selling two luxury watches

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Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro addresses supporters during a rally in Sao Paulo in February. Photo: AP
Associated Press

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 a source with knowledge of the accusations.

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

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 analyse the document and decide whether to file charges and force Bolsonaro to stand trial.

The indictment dramatically raises the stakes in a series of investigations into the divisive ex-leader applauded by his opponents but denounced as political persecution by his supporters.

Luxury items included as part of an investigation into gifts received by ex-president Jair Bolsonaro were seized by customs authorities at Guarulhos International Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in March 2023. Photo: Brazil’s Federal Revenue Department via AP
Luxury items included as part of an investigation into gifts received by ex-president Jair Bolsonaro were seized by customs authorities at Guarulhos International Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in March 2023. Photo: Brazil’s Federal Revenue Department via AP

Bolsonaro and his lawyers have denied any wrongdoing related to the case, as well as the slew of investigations facing the former president.

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