A Brazilian court on Wednesday has ordered that former President Jair Bolsonaro return jewellery he received from the government of Saudi Arabia as a gift when president. The Brazilian police investigated an attempt to illegally bring a set of jewellery, valued at more than $3.2 million, into the country, destined for the then-president and his wife Michelle. Bolsonaro has five days to turn over any Saudi-offered jewellery in his possession. The order, which includes the guns, also imposed an audit of all the official gifts Bolsonaro obtained during his presidency, which lasted from 2019 to 2022. The seized $3.2m jewellery which includes a diamond necklace, ring, watch and earrings from the luxury Swiss jeweller Chopard would remain in custody at the presidential offices.
Under Brazilian law, public officials can only keep gifts that are “both highly personal and of minimal monetary value.” Bolsonaro is expected to return soon to Brazil from the United States. The ex-president has denied wrongdoing.
