Prosecutor Drops Vaccine Records Fraud Case Against Bolsonaro in Vaccine
Brazil’s Prosecutor General, Paulo Gonet, has decided not to press charges against former President Jair Bolsonaro in Vaccine for allegedly falsifying his COVID-19 vaccination records. In a document released on Thursday, Gonet requested that the Supreme Court dismiss the case, citing insufficient evidence to support the accusations.
The decision follows allegations stemming from a plea-bargain deal with Mauro Cid, a former aide to Bolsonaro. According to investigators, Cid fraudulently obtained vaccination records for Bolsonaro and his daughter, Laura, at the ex-president’s request. However, Gonet stated that Cid’s testimony alone was not enough to justify prosecution without further corroborating evidence.
Bolsonaro, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, has not issued an immediate response to the decision. His legal representatives have also remained silent on the matter.
Separate Trial for Attempted Coup Moves Forward
The prosecutor’s decision comes just a day after a Supreme Court panel voted to put Bolsonaro on trial in an unrelated case. In this separate legal battle, the former president faces charges of conspiring to overthrow the government following his defeat in the 2022 election.
Brazil’s Federal Police had formally accused Bolsonaro of involvement in falsifying vaccine certificates last year. Authorities claimed the fraudulent certificates were used to bypass COVID-19 health restrictions during the pandemic. Despite these accusations, Gonet determined that the fraud case did not have sufficient evidence beyond Cid’s statements, while the coup attempt case had more substantial proof to proceed with prosecution.
Bolsonaro Faces Additional Legal Challenges
While Bolsonaro in Vaccine has been spared from prosecution in the vaccine fraud case, he still faces multiple legal challenges. Gonet is currently reviewing another police investigation in which Bolsonaro is accused of embezzling jewelry gifted by the Saudi government. The outcome of this probe could further impact Bolsonaro’s legal standing.
Moreover, Bolsonaro remains barred from seeking public office until 2030. This restriction was imposed by Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court after he was found guilty of attempting to undermine trust in the country’s voting system. The ruling effectively blocks Bolsonaro from participating in future elections for the rest of the decade, significantly affecting his political career.
As legal proceedings continue, Bolsonaro’s future remains uncertain. While he has avoided charges in the vaccine fraud case, other investigations and legal battles could shape the trajectory of his political and personal fate in the coming years.
