Federal Court of Accounts Minister Augusto Nardes has prohibited former president Jair Bolsonaro from using or selling the luxury items sent to him as a gift from the Saudi Arabian government through former Minister of Mines and Energy Bento Albuquerque. According to the decision, the former president must keep the material "intact, as a trustee".
A set of jewelry estimated at R$16 million was seized by the Federal Revenue Service in 2021, but a second jewelry case was allowed entrance into the country without a declaration to the federal organ and was incorporated into Bolsonaro's personal collection.
Nardes has determined that the former mandatary and Bento Albuquerque be heard regarding the indications of irregularity in the entry of items.
Bolsonaro's private collection during his stay at Palácio do Planalto ( Presidential Palace) totals 19,470 objects, according to a list drawn up by the Presidency as a response to requests made via the Access to Information Law.
The list includes 44 watches, 74 knives, 54 necklaces, 673 caps, 448 soccer jerseys, and 245 protective masks, as well as ammunition and a bulletproof vest.
Translated by Cassy Dias