Wednesday 20th October 2021
Serious crime charges
Bolsonaro threatens charges for corona policy
He embezzles state funds, belittles the pandemic and etches against vaccinations: With his misguided corona policy, President Bolsonaro is partly to blame for the 600,000 corona deaths in Brazil. That belief is an investigative disqualification – considering filing a lawsuit.
In Brazil, a parliamentary committee of inquiry into corona policy is to present its results to the government of President Jair Bolsonaro after almost six months of work. It is now up to Senator Renan Calheiros to present the final report this Wednesday, according to a statement from the Senate in Brasília. The draft, which has already been circulating in advance, envisages holding around 70 people and two companies responsible – and indicting President Bolsonaro of allegedly committing eleven crimes, some of which are serious.
According to media reports, the senators discussed the final content until late at night and decided to remove two crimes from the list of allegations. The committee of inquiry had started its work at the height of an out-of-control corona pandemic in April. The motions that led to his installation provided for him to shed light on the actions and omissions of the government of right-wing populist Bolsonaro in the pandemic and to review the possible misappropriation of federal funds in the fight against the coronavirus.
Bolsonaro rejected protective measures against the pandemic
After the USA and India, Brazil has the most corona infections with almost 22 million cases. Most recently, the largest country in Latin America exceeded the mark of 600,000 corona deaths. The health system collapsed in many places in March and April. Bolsonaro has played down the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic and rejects protective measures and restrictions. He also doubts the point of vaccinations.
Bolsonaro has emphasized several times that he has not yet been vaccinated against the corona virus. He is accused of having refused to buy corona vaccines and dragged them off. The committee of inquiry has eleven members. The committee is expected to vote on the final report in the coming week. A majority is needed to pass the report. Then it can be sent to institutions like the Attorney General’s Office. According to observers, it is unclear whether the recommendations would also lead to indictments.