Police Raids in Bolsonaro Jewelry Probe
August 27, 23
(IDEX Online) - Police in Brazil have raided the addresses of two aides to the former president, over claims they sold high-value jewelry gifts from foreign governments for cash.
Proceeds of the sales were, allegedly, then passed on to Jair Bolsonaro, who lost last October's election to left wing rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
A Federal Police said a lawyer and former aide were "suspected of using the structure of the state to divert high-value assets delivered by foreign authorities to Brazilian representatives on official visits, through the sale of these items abroad."
An investigation was launched in March into claims Bolsonaro failed to declare diamond jewelry valued at $3.2m that was seized at Sao Paulo international airport in 2021.
The items, including a Chopard diamond necklace, earrings and watch, were a gift from the Saudi government to him and his wife Michelle. Mr Bolsonaro denies any wrongdoing.
Pic courtesy Brazil's Federal Revenue Department shows the items seized at Sao Paulo international airport