Senators accuse Bolsonaro of “crimes against humanity”

Enlarge image

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro

Photo: JOEDSON ALVES / EPA

The Brazilian Senate has called for a lawsuit against head of state Jair Bolsonaro because of his corona policy.

This emerges from an investigation report submitted on Wednesday into Bolsonaro's criminal offenses in connection with his government's corona crisis management.

The committee has made serious allegations against the right-wing leader, including crimes against humanity and "charlatanry".

A total of nine charges are brought against Bolsonaro in the 1200-page report.

The committee had also debated to the last about accusing the president of manslaughter by omission and genocide.

Ultimately, the committee members withdrew these allegations after an internal dispute.

Report could politically harm Bolsonaro

The report is unlikely to have any legal consequences for Bolsonaro, as he has sufficient support in Congress to avert impeachment proceedings.

He also enjoys the backing of Attorney General Augusto Aras.

The Bolsonaro ally could protect him from any charge.

Nonetheless, the report could politically damage the president, who will run for re-election next year.

Bolsonaro is currently under heavy pressure because of poor popularity ratings and several preliminary investigations against him and his environment.

According to surveys, he is threatened with a clear defeat against the left-wing ex-head of state Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the election next year.

Report examined lack of oxygen in the state of Amazonas

Bolsonaro has repeatedly downplayed the dangers posed by the virus and criticized corona requirements imposed by Brazilian regional and local authorities because of their economic effects.

Several ministers and high-ranking government employees as well as hospital managers and relatives of corona victims were heard in the committee.

Among other things, the senators dealt with the lack of oxygen for ventilation of corona patients in the state of Amazonas.

Dozens of patients died in January in Manaus, the state's capital, due to the inadequate supply of oxygen.

The committee also looked into delays in procuring corona vaccines.

Another topic was Bolsonaro's speeches in which he sharply criticized lockdown measures.

The committee of inquiry began its work at the height of a runaway corona pandemic in April.

The motions that led to his installation provided for him to shed light on the actions and omissions of the government of right-wing populist Bolsonaro in the pandemic and to review the possible misappropriation of federal funds in the fight against the coronavirus.

More than 600,000 corona deaths in Brazil

After the USA and India, Brazil has the most corona infections with almost 22 million cases.

Most recently, the largest country in Latin America exceeded the mark of 600,000 corona deaths.

The health system collapsed in many places in March and April.

Bolsonaro has played down the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic and rejects protective measures and restrictions.

He also doubts the point of vaccinations.

Bolsonaro has emphasized several times that he has not yet been vaccinated against the corona virus.

He is accused of having refused to buy vaccines and procrastinating.

anr / AFP / dpa