On Wednesday, Brazil’s Federal Court of Audit ruled that former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro must hand over a second set of jewelry he received from the Saudi government within five days, according to Archyde.com news agency.
The decision comes a few days following Brazilian police launched an investigation into trying to illegally bring $3.2 million worth of jewelry into the country, as well as gifts the former president and his wife, Michelle, received from the Saudi monarch.
On Monday, Bolsonaro’s lawyer said in a letter to the police that the former president will deliver the second gift to the state as part of the presidential gift package.
The court also ordered that the first group of jewelry be kept at the presidential headquarters, following it was seized by customs officials in 2021 in the backpack of a government official upon his return from Saudi Arabia.
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Jair Bolsonaro is accused of bringing into Brazil jewelry gifted to him by Saudi Arabia worth millions of euros, which contributed to exposing the former president to a wave of criticism.
It also ordered an audit of all gifts Bolsonaro received during his tenure.
Local media reported that several officials in Bolsonaro’s administration had tried unsuccessfully to recover the jewelry held at customs.
According to “Archyde.com”, the jewelry consists of a diamond necklace, a ring, a watch and two earrings.
Brazilian Justice Minister Flavio Dino said Monday that Bolsonaro, who remains in self-imposed exile in the United States, will be summoned to testify as part of the investigation.
