Bolsonaro to Face Charges of 'Intentional' Crimes over COVID-19 Response
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After costing over 600,000 Brazilians their lives due to arguably the world's worst COVID-19 pandemic response, Bolsonaro is to face charges over intentional crimes.
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Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, during the Armed Forces General Officers promotion ceremony at Planalto Palace in Brasilia on December 9, 2019.
A Brazilian Senate committee will request Wednesday that President Jair Bolsonaro be charged with intentional crimes over his mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to the death of 600,000 Brazilians so far.
Following an eventful period of six months full of hearings against the right-wing president, with emotional statements and chilling revelations about the use of ineffective medication on "human guinea pigs," the senatorial committee will deliver its report on Brazil's Bolsonaro.
Renan Calheiros, the lead author of the 1,200-page report on Bolsonaro, has already revealed retaining at least nine charges against the latter, which he said included quackery and crimes against humanity.
However, after some arguments within the panel, the senator announced that the committee withdrew the charges of "homicide" and "genocide" pressed against the far-right president.
Although the accusations are serious, the president may not face impeachment due to the congressional support he has that would allow him to avoid the opening of impeachment proceedings.
Bolsonaro could also be shielded by Augusto Aras, an ally he appointed, rendering him nearly untouchable and immune.
The report could also see several ministers charged, as well as three of Bolsonaro's sons - one of which sits on the committee.
Although this inquiry may not have enough power to bring charges against Bolsonaro, his allied ministers and his sons, its revelations could have a serious political impact on the far-right president, as it will be sent to the public prosecutor, the federal court of accounts, and could even be sent to the ICC.
Despite it not being able to bring charges against Bolsonaro, it could cause him to trail even further behind his leftist opponent Lula da Silva, as he is already lagging behind him in polls ahead of the 2022 general election.
Several ministers, alongside top government officials and business and hospital managers, have already said what they had to say - it was the turn of the families of COVID-19 victims to present their statements, which they did on Monday.
The statements they made were incredibly emotional and heartbreaking. Having lost their hopes due to governmental negligence and disinformation, they demanded an apology from the highest authority in the state, and called for the officials to be punished.
