Brazilian Prosecutors Halt Investigation into Bolsonaro’s Pandemic Response
Brazilian prosecutors announced on Thursday that they are dropping an investigation into former President Jair Bolsonaro, who faced accusations of “genocide” regarding his management of the coronavirus pandemic.
This investigation was one of multiple legal challenges arising after Bolsonaro lost the 2022 presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Currently, Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year prison sentence after being convicted for false claims related to a coup plot following Lula’s victory. He’s also been implicated in the January 2023 riots in Brasilia, which occurred while Lula was in the U.S. Furthermore, Bolsonaro is under scrutiny for alleged misappropriation of jewelry received from the Saudi government, and has faced penalties for not wearing a mask during the pandemic.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office stated on Thursday that the inquiry into Bolsonaro’s pandemic actions would be archived. They described the initial indictment as overly politicized, asserting that the claims were vague and did not provide specific evidence of any genocidal acts. The decision to close the case was based on a request from Federal Prosecutor Luciana Furtado de Moraes.
Furtado de Moraes noted, in a late January request, that “this ministerial body has determined there is no basis on the facts to initiate criminal prosecution.” She emphasized that the allegations lacked specificity and sufficient documentation necessary for a thorough legal investigation.
The motion to investigate was criticized for being based on “personal reports, subjective evaluations, political perceptions,” yet it failed to present clear facts or evidence needed to justify any criminal proceedings.
Throughout the early months of the pandemic, Bolsonaro was vocal against strict lockdown measures and suggested they would undermine Brazil’s economy without guaranteeing health benefits. He often dismissed the virus as merely a “little cold.” When he contracted the virus, he even advised against mask usage and promoted the anti-malarial drug chloroquine, which was not officially approved for treating COVID-19 and sparked backlash from advocates for masks and lockdowns. His stance on vaccines also shifted; he initially criticized them but later expressed gratitude toward China for vaccine supplies despite concerns over their effectiveness.
In October 2021, left-wing lawmakers reportedly aimed to charge Bolsonaro with genocide due to his pandemic response. They claimed the government’s decision to delay vaccine acquisition led to thousands of unnecessary deaths among Brazilians.
Despite these serious allegations, no significant legal action was taken against Bolsonaro, though he has faced a multitude of charges, including those related to the pandemic. Recent reports indicate that the shelved charges included serious accusations like involvement in paramilitary activities and corruption.
The charges leading to his imprisonment originated from the January 8, 2023, riots in Brasilia, which, although not resulting in injuries, caused extensive property damage to major government buildings. A group of Bolsonaro supporters expressed rage over judicial actions that allowed Lula to run for president, an event Bolsonaro missed as he was in the U.S. during this time.
The Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF) condemned Bolsonaro for orchestrating a coup against Lula and accused him of plotting to poison the current president. As a consequence, he is barred from holding public office until 2060, when he will be an older man at 105.
Shortly post-conviction for the coup-related charges, another court found Bolsonaro guilty of “recreational racism,” leading him to pay a fine of about $188,750 after making derogatory remarks about a black supporter.
In September, the STF judge Flavio Dino initiated a new investigation regarding Bolsonaro’s pandemic actions. While he didn’t directly accuse him of genocide, he argued that Bolsonaro’s alleged misconduct could lead to accusations of misappropriating public funds and engaging in “crimes against humanity.” It’s important to note that while the STF can recommend prosecutions, it doesn’t have the authority to file criminal charges against individuals.
