Alleged Bolsonaro-linked crime ring sold official luxury gifts worth $1.2m, Brazil police claim

Report into ‘Jewellerygate’ scandal alleges former president involved in embezzlement of high-value gifts received from foreign leaders

Federal police investigators have claimed that a criminal group, allegedly involving Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro, tried to illegally siphon off and sell luxury gifts from foreign leaders worth at least $1.2m.

The new claims came on Monday, three days after police formally accused the far-right politician of embezzlement, money laundering and criminal association and suggested he face criminal charges. If Bolsonaro is charged and convicted, those alleged crimes could reportedly land him in jail for a total of 25 years.