Former President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil is facing potential criminal charges after the federal police recommended that he be charged in connection with a scheme to falsify his Covid-19 vaccine card. This was allegedly done to enable him to travel to the United States during the pandemic. The latest developments indicate that criminal investigations are closing in on the former president.
The federal prosecutors will now determine whether to pursue the case, and if they do, it would mark the first time that Bolsonaro faces criminal charges. The Brazilian police have accused him of instructing a top aide to obtain falsified Covid-19 vaccination records for himself and his 13-year-old daughter in late 2022, just before he traveled to Florida for a three-month stay following his election loss.
The Brazilian police are awaiting a response from the U.S. Justice Department regarding whether Bolsonaro used a fake vaccination card to enter the United States, which could lead to different criminal charges. At the time, most international visitors to the United States were required to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination to enter the country.
Bolsonaro has denied receiving a Covid-19 vaccine and has refuted accusations of involvement in any plan to falsify his vaccination records. If convicted of forging his vaccine card, he could potentially face prison time.
The federal police’s indictment represents a significant development in the various criminal investigations into Bolsonaro. He has been the subject of questioning and searches in several inquiries, including allegations related to the selling of gifts received during his presidency and accusations of attempting to hold onto power after his 2022 election loss.
In addition, Brazil’s electoral court has ruled Bolsonaro ineligible for public office until 2030 due to spreading false information about Brazil’s voting systems on state television, preventing him from participating in the next presidential contest in 2026.
During the pandemic, Bolsonaro was known for his criticism of the Covid-19 vaccine and promotion of unproven treatments, contributing to the exacerbation of the pandemic in Brazil. His administration’s initial hesitation to secure vaccines further worsened the situation, according to a Brazilian congressional investigation that recommended charging him with “crimes against humanity” for his actions during the pandemic.
Despite the previous recommendations, prosecutors did not charge him at the time. The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in over 700,000 deaths in Brazil, making it the second-highest national death count after the United States.
In May 2023, the police conducted a search at Bolsonaro’s home, seizing his cellphone and other items as part of the ongoing investigations.
2024-03-19 20:40:40
Post from www.nytimes.com