Brazil's Federal Police Arrests Three People over Embezzlement of Political Funds

Operation targeted people close to the Minister of Tourism

Brasília

The Federal Police arrested on Thursday (27) a special adviser and two former assistants of the minister Marcelo Álvaro Antônio (Tourism), in an investigation into the embezzlement of political funds within PSL, President Jair Bolsonaro political party.

The Federal police launched an investigation after Folha revealed in February that Álvaro Antônio, then president of the PSL de Minas, sponsored a scheme in 2018 that diverted public resources through candidates that he knew would receive few votes.

President Jair Bolsonaro with the minister Marcelo Álvaro Antônio (Tourism) at the Planalto Palace. (Foto: Pedro Ladeira/Folhapress, PODER) - Folhapress

The arrests increase the pressure on the Bolsonaro administration regarding the minister's future. Interim President Hamilton Mourão said that Bolsonaro would not hesitate to replace him if he is proven guilty. For the military wing of the government, the government should have already released the minister.

The ministry said there was no relationship between the investigation and the activities in the portfolio of the detained aide, Matthew Von Rondon. Álvaro Antônio denies irregularity.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

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