Police seek charges over Bolsonaro's fake Covid certificate

Brazil's police have recommended that former president Jair Bolsonaro be charged for the alleged forging of his Covid vaccination certificate, according to an investigation report published Tuesday.

Bolsonaro has been under investigation since last year over the alleged plot to falsify his Covid vaccination records during a presidency in which he came under fire for dismissing the severity of the pandemic.

The federal police said in a 231-page report that Bolsonaro and eight other people had plotted to issue "the false certificates to obtain undue advantages" during the pandemic.

It is now up to the Attorney General's office to decide whether to charge Bolsonaro in the case.

The 68-year-old Bolsonaro was questioned by police in connection with the allegations in May last year, and his house was raided.

He denied the accusations and accused authorities of trying to "fabricate a case" against him.

Brazil's comptroller general's office in January confirmed that Bolsonaro's Covid vaccination certificate was forged, but recommended closing the case due to "lack of sufficient evidence" over who had entered the false data.

Bolsonaro faced severe criticism for his management of the pandemic, after opposing lockdown measures and telling Brazilians to "stop whining" as deaths reached record highs.

He also promoted unproven treatments, and joked the vaccine could "turn you into an alligator." More than 700,000 people died from Covid in Brazil.

Bolsonaro also admitted he had not been vaccinated.

Public health records showed he received the vaccine in Sao Paulo in July 2022, but the comptroller's office found this was fraudulently entered.

Fabio Wajngarten, Bolsonaro's lawyer, described the police allegations as "absurd."

"While he served as president, (Bolsonaro) was completely exempt from presenting any type of certificate on his trips," said Wajngarten, slamming "political persecution."

Bolsonaro is mired in legal challenges, and is also being investigated over an alleged coup plot to stay in power after he lost the 2022 election.

He is also being probed over the alleged misappropriation of gifts received from other nations, such as jewelry offered by Saudi Arabia.

Bolsonaro has also been banned from holding public office until 2030 over his attacks on the election system.