Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been indicted by the country’s federal police on suspicion of money laundering and ties to criminal organisations in connection to diamonds he allegedly received from Saudi Arabia while in office, a source familiar with the charges told The Associated Press.
Reports of the indictment were confirmed by two officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, but details of the crimes federal police are accusing the former president of were not disclosed.
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Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has reportedly been indicted for receiving an undisclosed amount of diamonds from Saudi Arabia. (Andressa Anholete/Getty Images)
Brazil’s Supreme Court has yet to receive the police report containing the indictment, which will then be reviewed by Attorney General Paulo Gonetto, an appointee of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Bolsonaro’s main political rival and leftist firebrand.
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Lula da Silva narrowly defeated the right-wing leader in the 2022 re-election bid.
Gonet will then decide whether the allegations against the former president merit criminal prosecution and trial.
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This marks the second formal criminal indictment against the former president, who was indicted in March for falsifying COVID-19 vaccination records.
Authorities are also investigating his alleged involvement in inciting riots in Brazil’s capital, Brasilia, in 2023 that sought to oust newly elected President Lula.
President Bolsonaro has denied all wrongdoing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
