Saudis sent sack of jewels to Bolsonaro

JAIR BOLSONARO is facing a criminal investigation into reports he tried to illegally import jewellery worth £2.7 million into Brazil from the Middle East.

The former president has faced mounting questions over the jewels since Estado de Sao Paulo reported that customs officers blocked a government aide from bringing them into Brazil without paying import duty after an official trip in October 2021.

The aide’s backpack contained a Chopard diamond necklace, ring, watch and earrings intended as a gift for Mr Bolsonaro from the Saudi Arabian government.

Mr Bolsonaro, who is living in Florida, has denied any involvement and said he was being “crucified” for a gift he neither requested nor received. Yet his officials reportedly tried at least eight times to convince customs officers to release the jewels.

Tax officials are also investigating a second undetected gift of jewels from the same trip.