Brazil’s Court of Audit orders Bolsonaro to return a gift of Saudi jewelry

BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s Federal Court of Audit ruled on Wednesday that former President Jair Bolsonaro must hand over a second set of jewelry he received from the Saudi government within five days.

The decision comes a few days after the Brazilian police launched an investigation into the attempt to illegally bring into the country jewelry worth $3.2 million, and gifts to the then president and his wife Michelle by the Saudi monarch.

On Monday, Bolsonaro’s lawyer said in a letter to police that the former president will deliver the second gift to the state as part of the presidential gift package.

The TCU court also ordered that the first set of jewelry, which customs officials seized in 2021 in the backpack of a government aide returning from Saudi Arabia, be held in presidential offices, as well as open an audit of all gifts he had received. Bolsonaro during his tenure.

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Local media reported that several Bolsonaro administration officials had tried unsuccessfully to recover jewelry — a diamond necklace, ring, watch and earrings — that had been held by customs.

Brazil’s Justice Minister Flavio Dino said Monday that Bolsonaro, who remains in self-exile in the United States, will be called to testify as part of the investigation.

Reporting by Ricardo Brito; Editing by Sandra Mahler

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