International

Bolsonaro testifies in fake vaccination certificates case

Photo: REUTERS

May 17 |

The former president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, appeared this Tuesday before the Federal Police in Brasilia to testify about the alleged falsification of vaccination certificates against Covid-19, reiterating his innocence and denying any involvement in the facts attributed to him.

Bolsonaro arrived at the police headquarters around 13:40 local time in a car with dark windows and left about four hours later in the same manner, without offering statements to the press.

In his statement to authorities, Bolsonaro again denied his involvement in the alleged scheme to create Covid-19 vaccination certificates for himself, his 12-year-old daughter and collaborators, reported former Communication Secretary and current Bolsonaro advisor Fabio Wajngarten.

Authorities are investigating an alleged “criminal association” suspected of “inserting false anti-covid vaccination data for the benefit of the then president” and his close associates, according to official documents.

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The objective was to “circumvent sanitary restrictions”, to travel with a retinue of family members and advisors to the United States, two days before the end of his mandate on January 1st, where he stayed for three months.

The former president, who sowed doubts about vaccines at the height of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic, which killed more than 700,000 people in Brazil, was entered in the immunization system records as having received two doses of the vaccine, last August and October.

After the raid on his home, the 68-year-old former president denied the accusations and accused the authorities of trying to “fabricate a case” against him.

Bolsonaro’s former deputy, Mauro Cid, who was considered his right-hand man during the former president’s term, was arrested in connection with the case, on suspicion of “initiating” the practice of illicit acts.

Until May 11, the United States required international air travelers to present proof of vaccination against the coronavirus, a requirement that did not apply to foreign government officials.

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Related Topics:Bolsonaro Brazil vaccination certificates case

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