SAO PAULO: Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday denied that he hid from the authorities a jewelry set gifted to him and his wife by Saudi Arabia.
According to O Estado de S Paulo newspaper, the gift was brought to the South American country without declaring it to the authorities. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da announced to probe his predecessor for allegedly illegally bringing a $3.2 million jewelry set consisting of a diamond necklace, watch, ring, and earrings to Brazil.
Saudi government gifted the jewelry
The Saudi government gifted the jewelry to the far-right former president and his wife Michelle Bolsonaro. The Saudi embassy in Brazil did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
Bolsonaro told CNN Brasil he was being accused of a gift he neither requested nor received. He said that there was no illegality on his part. He denied that he ever committed illegality.
Lula promised that an investigation into the matter would be launched. Justice Minister Flavio Dino said that he would request a federal police probe. Paulo Pimenta, a Lula spokesman, said there would be no impunity. He said that the evidence was robust and the truth will out.
According to the news report, the jewels valued at $3.19 million were found by customs authrorities in the backpack of an aide to former Mines and Energy Minister Bento Albuquerque after he returned from an official trip to the Middle East in October 2021.
Authorities at Guarulhos airport in Sao Paulo seized the jewelry. People should declare goods worth more than $1,000 when they enter the country. The news report said that the Bolsonaro administration unsuccessfully attempted to recover the jewelry multiple times but remained unsuccessful.
Bolsonaro flew to Florida in late December, 48 hours before Lula was sworn in and he is currently staying in the United States. He attended his party’s conference in Washington on Saturday, where he was also expected to call on former US President Donald Trump, his political ally.
