They open an investigation into irregular entry of jewelry for Bolsonaro

The Federal Police of Brazil opened an investigation to clarify “irregular entry” to the country of a set of jewels that the Government of Saudi Arabia gave in 2021 to the then president, Jair Bolsonaro and his wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, reported official sources.

The investigation will be processed “under judicial secrecy” and “It has an initial term of thirty days, with the possibility of extending it if necessary”, and it will take place in parallel to another one opened by the Treasury, the Federal Police said in a note released on Monday night.

The scandal was revealed by the newspaper “O State of Sao Paulo”, which affirmed that the Government of Bolsonaro (2019-2022) tried to illegally introduce into the country jewels valued at 16.5 million reais (US$ 3.2 million) that the Saudi authorities had given to the then first lady, Michelle Bolsonaro, in October 2021 .

The Treasury seized them at the Guarulhos international airport, in Sao Paulo, after finding them in the backpack of an adviser who was part of the entourage of Bolsonaro’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Bento Albuquerque, and who did not properly declare them.

Among the seized jewelry were “a necklace, a ring, a watch and a pair of diamond earrings” from the exclusive Swiss brand Chopard.

Bolsonaro tried several times to release the exclusive gifts before the end of his term on January 1, but was unsuccessful, according to the aforementioned newspaper.

But the Brazilian press also highlighted that, apparently, there was a second package of jewelry, consisting of a watch, a pen and a ring, also from Chopard, according to “O Globe”, who apparently passed through customs without being declared and managed to enter the country.

“The fact can configure, in theory, a violation of customs legislation by the other traveler, due to lack of declaration and collection of taxes”, pointed out the Treasury, the body responsible for the country’s customs.

Given this information, the current Minister of Justice, Flávio Dino, asked the Federal Police to open an investigation into the case, which materialized on Monday night.

According to the Metropoles portal, the Specialized Department for Combating Crimes against the Treasury of the Sao Paulo Superintendency, which will be in charge of the investigation, wants to question Bolsonaro, his wife, former minister Albuquerque and their advisers.

Bolsonaro, leader of the Brazilian extreme right and who has been in Orlando, United States, since December 30, where he traveled two days before the end of his term, has denied any “illegality” about.

Source: EFE