Bolsonaro Testifies in Jewelry Scandal, Saudi Arabia Donated $3.2 Million Jewelry Collection | outside
Before the outcome of the investigation by the Brazilian police, Jair Bolsonaro promised to hand over the jewelry he received from Saudi Arabia to the Brazilian Court of Auditors. So say the lawyers of the former Brazilian president. The jewelry may have been illegally imported into Brazil.
The former president has been subjected to severe criticism since the Brazilian newspaper O Estado de São Paulo In early March, customs officials disclosed in October 2021 at São Paulo Airport, that a $3.2 million collection of jewelry for Bolsonaro’s wife had been intercepted.
Jewelry from the Swiss brand Chopard was in the backpack of an aide to Bolsonaro’s Minister of Mines and Energy when the delegation returned from an official trip to the Middle East. The minister, Bento Albuquerque, noted that another batch of jewelry had been brought to Brazil without being declared.
personalized gifts
Some of those jewels were in Bolsonaro’s possession. The former president kept his watch, pen and other luxuries for himself. He reportedly considered them personal gifts and believed he did nothing illegal with them.
Justice Minister Flavio Dino announced on Monday that Bolsonaro and his former minister will be called to testify about the jewelry. So Bolsonaro’s lawyers have now offered to hand over the jewelry, pending a decision. The lawyer emphasized that Bolsonaro “never intended to enrich himself with property that could be classified as public in any way.”
Under Brazilian law, goods worth more than $1,000 must be declared before they can be brought into the country so they can be taxed. Gifts from a state to the Brazilian state are tax deductible.
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