Brazil has ordered corona vaccine from India for more than $ 300 million. But President Bolsonaro is said not to have reported a suspicion of corruption – which could now lead to his impeachment.
The Brazilian Public Prosecutor’s Office is launching a preliminary investigation into the role of President Jair Bolsonaro in a suspected corruption case. The public prosecutor’s office announced on Friday that it should be determined whether the conditions for an indictment against the head of state are met. On Monday, three senators filed a lawsuit against Bolsonaro in the country’s Supreme Court on suspicion of breach of duty.
The senators said the president had been informed of a “gigantic corruption system” in the Ministry of Health, but had taken no action. According to this, the right-wing extremist head of state is said to have known of corruption in connection with a contract for the corona vaccine Covaxin, which is manufactured in India, worth 300 million dollars (around 250 million euros).
Suspicion of corruption not reported?
Congressman Luis Miranda, who is close to Bolsonaro, had said in a Senate investigative committee that Bolsonaro had assured him that he would report the suspicion to the police – which he apparently did not do.
Previously, Miranda’s brother Luis Ricardo Miranda, who is responsible for medical imports at the Ministry of Health, had become aware of a suspicious bill. It asked for $ 45 million for three million Covaxin vaccine doses, although no vaccine was supplied and the vaccine was not approved in Brazil.
The Brazilian government, which suspended the contract to buy the Covaxin vaccine doses this week, has since issued several versions of the case. Bolsonaro said he was unaware of any irregularities. According to senators close to the government, Bolsonaro is said to have informed the then Minister of Health Eduardo Pazuello about the allegations. Indian company Bharat Biotech said the price of a can of Covaxin to foreign governments was between $ 15 and $ 20. The price for Brazil was therefore within this range.
Criminal proceedings could lead to impeachment
Criminal proceedings against Bolsonaro in the Supreme Court could result in his impeachment. A prerequisite for this, however, would be an indictment by the Attorney General Augusto Aras, a Bolsonaro ally. His deputy, Humberto Jacques de Medeiros, who is also close to the President, had asked the Court to dismiss the case. However, judge Rosa Weber refused.
It is also very unlikely that Bolsonaro will be brought to trial in the end, as this would require the approval of Parliament, in which the President has a large majority. Attempts by his opponents to initiate impeachment proceedings against Bolsonaro have so far failed due to opposition from his allies in Congress.
Opponents of Bolsonaro present new allegations
On Wednesday dozens of opposition MPs started a new attempt and presented a list of further corruption allegations in parliament in order to initiate an investigation into the president.
Bolsonaro has long been criticized for its corona crisis management. He is accused of having promoted the rapid spread of the corona virus in Brazil by playing down the pandemic. Bolsonaro’s popular support is currently waning. In recent polls, the head of state is far behind his left-wing challenger, ex-President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Presidential elections will be held in Brazil next year.
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