A representative of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro handed over a diamond jewelry set he received from Saudi Arabia to a state bank on Friday, following the order of a government watchdog while the gifts are investigated.
Federal police and prosecutors are investigating whether the assets brought into the country by Saudi Arabia were public gifts that Bolsonaro improperly tried to prevent from being incorporated into the public collection of the presidency, or private gifts that Bolsonaro tried to smuggle into Brazil without paying taxes.
The Senate Transparency Commission is also investigating whether the sale of a refinery by Brazil’s huge public oil company was related to the jewelry.
The state bank Caixa Economica Federal received a box of precious stones at one of its branches in Brasilia on Friday, the bank’s press office reported to Associated Press. A representative also handed over firearms that Bolsonaro received as a gift from the United Arab Emirates authorities, according to the federal police press office.
The Brazilian press reported weeks ago about these jewels along with others seized at the Sao Paulo international airport. The seized jewelry – which included earrings, a necklace, a ring and a watch from the Swiss brand Chopard – have an estimated value of several million dollars. No set of jewelry was declared to the tax authorities.
In documents and a video published by the local press, alleged Bolsonaro emissaries appear to be seen making several unsuccessful attempts to recover the seized jewels, even a few days before the end of his presidency.
Bolsonaro, who denies having committed any crime in the case of the jewels, is located in the United States since the end of December, days before the end of his term.
The gifts add to the legal troubles already surrounding the populist right-wing politician. He is also being investigated for their possible participation in an insurrection by his supporters through the national capital after leaving office and for various actions during the electoral campaign for the presidency that he lost late last year.
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