Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro received third package of jewels from Saudi Arabia: Report
Jair Bolsonaro received a third batch of jewels from Saudi Arabia, in addition to two undeclared shipments that have fanned allegations of corruption around the former Brazilian president.
The package of jewels Bolsonaro received from the oil-rich kingdom includes a white gold, diamond-encrusted Rolex watch, a Chopard pen, cufflinks, a ring, and an Islamic rosary, the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper reported on Tuesday.
A scandal broke last month, when the paper reported customs officials had seized a set of jewels estimated to be worth $3m from a Bolsonaro government aide who tried to bring them into the country undeclared in his backpack in 2021.
The controversial far-right politician lost power in last October's presidential election to left-wing veteran Luis Inacio Lula de Silva after serving one term.
Last week, Bolsonaro complied with a court order to hand over a second set of jewels that made it through customs undetected.
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Brazil's federal police and tax authority have opened investigations into the jewels, which came from the Swiss luxury house, Chopard.
Current Justice Minister Flavio Dino says Bolsonaro may have committed embezzlement or tax fraud. Brazilian law bars public officials from keeping expensive gifts.
According to Estado de Sao Paulo, Bolsonaro attempted to hide the third package of jewels in a house owned by former Formula 1 driver, Nelson Piquet.
The former president’s lawyer, Frederick Wassef, said in a statement on 7 March that Bolsonaro had received the jewels in a “very personal” manner. The Brazilian leader has denied wrongdoing.
Bolsonaro, who is living in Florida, is expected to return to Brazil on Thursday and says he plans to re-energise the country’s far-right movement in the face of political setbacks.
The former president faces five Supreme Court investigations that could send him to prison - four for alleged crimes during his term (2019-2022), and one over accusations he incited a riot by supporters who invaded the presidential palace, Congress and the Supreme Court on 8 January, protesting his election loss.
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