Bolsonaro says he won jewelry for friendship with the Arab world – 03/30/2023 – Politics

Former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) said this Thursday (30) that he received high-value gifts from Saudi Arabia because of the friendship he built with the Arab world. And he even completed by stating that “they have money, man”

“Now [são] expensive jewelry? Yes, dear ones, also because of the friendly relationship I had with the Arab world,” said the former president, in an interview with Jovem Pan radio.

Next questioned about the reason for the Arabs to give a gift of BRL 16 million, Bolsonaro said that “they have money” and that it is “their pleasure” to give gifts.

“The Queen of England, she is already deceased, won R$ 50 million. They have money, man. It is their pleasure to give this gift”, said Bolsonaro.

“That sheikh over there, he invited me, I went to his house… I stayed at his house. There are things we don’t have, three wives, for example”, he continued, amid laughter.

Bolsonaro also said that their wealth does not come only from oil, but also from trade, tourism and technology.

“They are very rich [cidades dos Emirados Árabes] and try to please people. I’m a guy who keeps my little watch here, thank God, I keep it”.

The former president landed in Brasília this Thursday morning (30) after an 89-day stay in the United States. From the airport, he went straight to the PL headquarters where he met supporters and greeted supporters.

Bolsonaro defended himself against the accusation that he had appropriated the official gifts, arguing that they were all already registered by the Presidency of the Republic.

“I’m not the one who classifies whether it’s a personal or public collection. There are people in the Presidency of the Republic, it’s career civil servants who classify. And the law says that I can even use it, I can’t sell it. But, how did the problem arise? , I am available. And the TCU [Tribunal de Contas da União] said by injunction that I could have possession of these jewels. After this injunction was judged at the front, it fell. What is the final decision? The jewels were delivered to Caixa Econômica Federal and the two jewels were delivered to the Federal Police”, said the former president.

The former president later stated that he was only upset at having to return the “HK”, the rifle he received as a gift, arguing that he is passionate about weapons.

Bolsonaro’s return to the country comes amid the controversy over jewelry coming from Saudi Arabia, a case that has been causing damage to the image of the former president, who may also be held liable in court.

This Wednesday (29), the former president and his former assistant, lieutenant colonel Mauro Cid, were summoned by the Federal Police to testify about the case. The depositions were scheduled for the 5th of April.

Through his lawyers, Bolsonaro delivered part of the jewelry he received as a gift from Saudi Arabia in 2021 to Caixa Econômica Federal on Friday (24th). The kit includes a watch, pen, cuff links, a ring and a type of rosary, all from the Swiss diamond brand Chopard.

On the same day, a weapons kit was delivered to the Federal Police, also by determination of the TCU.

The court also determined that the jewelry and watch set valued at BRL 16.5 million that would be for the former first lady, retained by the Revenue at Guarulhos airport (SP) in 2021, should also be sent to Caixa.