Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro faces formal accusations of falsifying his COVID-19 vaccination status, marking the first indictment for the embattled far-right leader. The federal police indictment released by the Supreme Court alleges that Bolsonaro and 16 others inserted false information into a public health database to falsely claim vaccination. This includes Bolsonaro himself, his 12-year-old daughter, and several others in his circle. The aim was to obtain vaccination certificates and deceive current health restrictions.
According to police detective Fabio Alvarez Shor, who signed the indictment, Bolsonaro and his aides changed their vaccination records between November 2021 and December 2022. The investigation also uncovered actions involving the use of fraudulent documents. Bolsonaro’s aide-de-camp, Mauro Cid, confessed to investigators that the former president instructed him to insert false data for both himself and his daughter.
During the pandemic, Bolsonaro openly opposed vaccination efforts and flouted health restrictions. His administration ignored offers from Pfizer to sell vaccines to Brazil in 2020 and criticized attempts by states to procure vaccines independently.
Brazil’s prosecutor-general’s office will decide whether to file charges against Bolsonaro at the Supreme Court. Bolsonaro’s lawyer called the indictment “absurd,” denying any wrongdoing.
Gleisi Hoffmann, chairwoman of the Workers’ Party, celebrated Bolsonaro’s indictment, expressing hope for further trials related to other alleged offenses, including smuggling jewelry and selling luxury gifts.
Bolsonaro, who needed a vaccination certificate to enter the U.S. in December 2022, has repeatedly claimed he never received a COVID-19 vaccine. If convicted for falsifying health data, he could face up to 12 years in prison.
The indictment also relates to a Senate committee inquiry in 2021 that recommended criminal charges against Bolsonaro for pandemic mismanagement. The former prosecutor-general declined to pursue the case, but his successor is considering filing charges.
Despite the indictment, Bolsonaro maintains support among his political base. However, the indictment could lead to further convictions and potential arrest.
In addition to his legal troubles, Bolsonaro has been ruled ineligible to run for office until 2030 for alleged electoral misconduct. He is also under investigation for his alleged involvement in an uprising in Brasilia in January 2023.
The indictment will be included in the investigation of the January 8 incident, overseen by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Moraes authorized the unsealing of the indictment, marking a significant development in Bolsonaro’s legal battles.
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