Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro spoke to police for several hours on Tuesday as part of an investigation into alleged forgery of Covid-19 vaccination certificates. Bolsonaro denied involvement in the alleged plot during his testimony. The police uncovered a scheme in which a top Bolsonaro aide allegedly obtained fraudulent vaccination certificates for Bolsonaro, his family, and aides. Police have evidence that Bolsonaro was “fully aware” of the fraudulent entries in the health ministry’s electronic vaccination records system.
Bolsonaro’s house was raided earlier this month as part of the same investigation. He arrived at the federal police headquarters in Brasilia around 1:40 pm and left four hours later without speaking to the press. In his testimony, Bolsonaro reiterated that he had never been vaccinated and that he was unaware of any initiatives for forgery, insertion, or adulteration in his vaccination card or that of his daughter.
The investigation centers around allegations that Bolsonaro and his inner circle used fraudulent vaccination certificates to dodge international travel requirements and other pandemic restrictions. The former president is vaccine-skeptical and has repeatedly downplayed the severity of the pandemic.
Rohit is a News18.com journalist with a passion for world affairs and a love for football. Follow him on Twitter at @heis_rohit.
