Brazil's Ex-President Jair Bolsonaro Facing Charges for Alleged Covid Vaccination Data Manipulation
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is facing charges as the country's federal police investigate him for suspected fraud related to manipulating Covid-19 vaccination records during his tenure as president.
Brazil’s ex-president, Jair Bolsonaro, is facing accusations of fraud by the federal police. They suspect that he manipulated Covid-19 vaccination data during his time in office. CNN Brasil reported this news on Tuesday.
According to the police, Bolsonaro supposedly instructed a trusted aide to input fake vaccination information for himself and his daughter into the Ministry of Health’s database. This allegation has raised concerns about the integrity of the vaccination system.
Police stated that the evidence gathered for the investigation indicates that Bolsonaro willingly instructed the inclusion of false data into the country's health system, as reported by CNN Brasil.
In addition to Bolsonaro, his closest aide, Lieutenant-Colonel Mauro Cid, and 15 other individuals were also accused of taking part in the same scheme.
Bolsonaro’s lawyer, Fabio Wajngarten, described the indictment as "absurd." He pointed out that Bolsonaro's personal stance on vaccination is well-known worldwide. Wajngarten also emphasized that as president, Bolsonaro was not required to provide any vaccination certificates during his official trips.
TOPSHOT - Brazilian former President, Jair Bolsonaro, speaks to the press at the Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport in Brasilia on June 30, 2023. Brazil's far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro vowed Friday to appeal a court ruling barring him from public office for eight years over unfounded attacks he had made against the country's voting system. The ruling renders the 68-year-old ineligible to stand in the next presidential election in 2026 -- opening the contest for a new leader for Brazil's political right. (Photo by Sergio Lima / AFP) (Photo by SERGIO LIMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazil's former President, Jair Bolsonaro, was seen talking to reporters at the Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport in Brasilia on June 30, 2023. He expressed his intention to challenge a court decision that prevents him from holding public office for eight years due to baseless accusations he made against the country's voting system. This ruling means that the 68-year-old will not be able to run for president in the next election in 2026, creating an opportunity for a new leader to emerge within Brazil's political right.
Sergio Lima/AFP/Getty Images
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Brazilian Police searched Bolsonaro’s home in Brasilia last May in connection with suspected falsified vaccination data. The court documents allege that Brazil’s ex-president presented a coup plot to military leaders.
Bolsonaro previously mentioned to reporters that he had not received the Covid-19 vaccine and that his vaccination card remained untouched.
The Prosecutor's Office in Brazil will now need to decide whether to proceed with the indictment.
Bolsonaro faced criticism from both domestic and international communities for downplaying the seriousness of the pandemic, even discouraging vaccination in the midst of Brazil's severe coronavirus crisis.
In 2021, he openly defied a UN mandate that mandated foreign delegations to be vaccinated before entering the headquarters in New York. Subsequently, several members of his delegation tested positive for the virus.
Bolsonaro is facing mounting legal challenges, including an indictment, as he deals with investigations into an alleged attempted coup plot to stay in power after losing the 2022 presidential election. Some former ministers from his government are also under investigation, and a few of his aides have been arrested.
Following Bolsonaro's narrow loss to leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the election, his supporters rioted and stormed government buildings in Brasilia on January 8, 2023. Bolsonaro has denied any involvement in inciting the violent attacks in the capital.
Last year, Bolsonaro was banned from participating in any political elections until 2030. This decision was made by the highest electoral court in the country. It was due to his misuse of power and public media during the 2022 election campaign.
Editor's P/S:
The accusations against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro regarding the manipulation of Covid-19 vaccination data are deeply concerning. The integrity of the vaccination system is crucial for public health, and any attempt to undermine it is a serious matter. The evidence gathered by the federal police suggests that Bolsonaro may have willingly ordered the inclusion of false data, raising questions about his commitment to the well-being of his citizens.
Bolsonaro's previous actions, such as discouraging vaccination and defying UN mandates, have already drawn criticism. The mounting legal challenges he faces, including the indictment and investigations into the alleged coup plot, indicate the seriousness of the allegations against him. It is imperative that the Prosecutor's Office thoroughly investigates the matter and holds accountable those responsible for any wrongdoing. The rule of law must be upheld, and the integrity of Brazil's political system must be protected.
