A Brazilian Senate commission recommended this Tuesday that the president, Jair Bolsonaro, face
a series of criminal charges
for his actions and omissions related to deaths from coronavirus in Brazil, the second country in the world in number of fatalities due to to the virus.
The 11-member commission had a vote of 7 in favor and 4 against, ending its six-month investigation into the Brazilian government's handling of the pandemic.
Senators are calling on prosecutors to put Bolsonaro on trial on charges ranging
from charlatanism and incitement to crime to misuse of public funds and crimes against humanity
.
Protesters wearing masks representing Bolsonaro protest against his government at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on October 20, 2021. UESLEI MARCELINO / REUTERS
More than 600,000 people have died from COVID-19 in Brazil during the pandemic while Bolsonaro has denied committing any crime.
He sabotaged science, he is not prepared, he is dishonest, thoughtful, arrogant, authoritarian, with a coup, bellicose, liar character ... "
Renan Calheiros Brazilian senator
The senators say they have evidence that the Bolsonaro government chose to act
"in a non-technical and reckless manner
.
"
They also accuse another 78 people, many of them civil servants, and two companies due to the high number of fatalities, said the Folha de São Paulo newspaper.
The committee considers that actions were taken to expose the population to the virus and against vaccines, while false information was spread.
Bolsonaro promoted, for example, an ineffective anti-malaria drug in coronavirus infections.
"He sabotaged science, he is not prepared, he is dishonest, pensive, arrogant, authoritarian, with a coup, bellicose, lying character and he acted like a maddened missionary to kill his own people," said the author of the report, Senator Renan Calheiros , in his speech before the vote.
A possible trial of Bolsonaro, at the hands of his allies?
Senator Omar Aziz, chairman of the investigation, said he will deliver the nearly 1,200-page report to the office of Attorney General Augusto Aras on Wednesday, who can request authorization from the Supreme Court to investigate and press charges.
The attorney general was appointed by Bolsonaro, for which it is feared that he will protect him.
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President Jair Bolsonaro's popularity has declined in recent times following public accusations about his handling of the pandemic.ADRIANO MACHADO / REUTERS
The report also contains recommendations for two counts of "crime of liability," which are grounds for impeachment, The Associated Press noted.
The president of the Lower House, Arthur Lira, a staunch ally of Bolsonaro, would have to carry out a vote on the opening of the impeachment process.
That's highly unlikely, considering that Lira currently has more than 120 impeachment requests, according to information from the Lower House.
Meanwhile, the accusation of crimes against humanity would have to be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court.
Against prevention and in favor of an ineffective drug
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Bolsonaro has sabotaged restrictions imposed by local leaders to stop the spread of the virus, saying that the economy must continue to function so that the poor do not suffer further difficulties.
He also insistently promoted an anti-malaria drug long after numerous tests showed it to be ineffective against COVID-19, has drawn crowds without wearing masks and cast doubt on vaccines.
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The author of the report, Senator Renan Calheiros, says that by insisting on treatment with the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine as "practically the only government policy to combat the pandemic, Jair Bolsonaro contributed strongly to the spread of COVID-19."
Bolsonaro has defended himself by saying that he is one of the only leaders in the world brave enough to challenge political correctness and global health recommendations.
For his part, one of his sons, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, told reporters on Tuesday that the report is legally weak and politically motivated.
"The intention of some senators of the investigative commission is to cause the maximum wear to the president," he said.
Trump's support, almost immediately
Former President Donald Trump came out almost immediately to support Bolsonaro, through his campaign team, although without mentioning the accusation.
"He fights a lot for the people of Brazil and loves them, just like I do for the people of the United States," Trump said in a statement in which he described Bolsonaro as "a great president", he assured that they are "great friends. ”.
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Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Economy Minister Paulo Guedes attend a press conference at the Ministry of Economy headquarters in Brasilia, Brazil, on October 22, 2021.UESLEI MARCELINO / REUTERS
Bolsonaro, the main defendant but the only one
The final report recommends a total of charges against two companies and 79 people, including Bolsonaro, current and former members of his Administration, dozens of allies and the president's three sons.
The list includes former or current employees of the Ministry of Health, as well as the governor of the state of Amazonas, heavily affected by the pandemic.
It also adds an additional violation for the alleged spread of fake news following Bolsonaro's live broadcast on social media last week, incorrectly stating that people in the UK who received two doses of the vaccine are developing AIDS faster than expected, the senator told The Associated Press.