Brazilian police indict ex-President Bolsonaro

It would appear as though the craze of using a country's court system to attack political opponents isn't just limited to America lately.

Brazil is getting in on the action as well.

According to the Associated Press, Brazilian police have indicted ex-president Jair Bolsonaro in an undeclared diamonds case.

Bolsonaro is no stranger to controversy, as this is his second time facing indictment since leaving office.

Previously, Bolsonaro was indicted for allegedly falsifying his COVID-19 vaccination certificate.

The AP is reporting that this is a VERY serious allegation against Bolsonaro.

"This indictment dramatically raises the legal threats facing the divisive ex-leader that are applauded by his opponents but denounced as political persecution by his supporters," they said.

"Bolsonaro did not immediately comment, but he and his lawyers have previously denied any wrongdoing in both those cases, as well as other investigations into the former president. One is probing his possible involvement in inciting an uprising in capital Brasilia on Jan. 8, 2023 that sought to oust his successor from power," the AP continued.

Last year, Brazil's Federal Police "accused Bolsonaro of attempting to sneak in diamond jewelry reportedly worth $3 million and selling two luxury watches."

Police are claiming "that Bolsonaro received cash from the nearly $70,000 sale of two luxury watches he received as gifts from Saudi Arabia. Brazil requires its citizens arriving by plane from abroad to declare goods worth more than $1,000 and, for any amount above that exemption, pay a tax equal to 50% of their value."

Jair Bolsonaro's son, Flávio Bolsonaro, a sitting senator, called the persecution against his father "blatant and shameless."

Do you think that this could be just like what we're seeing in America, where powerful politicians are weaponizing the country's justice system? Or does Jair Bolsonaro deserve the problems he's currently facing?

Let us know your opinion by leaving a comment in the discussion section below!

If you are interested in learning more about the details of this story, please feel free to click on the source link here.