Brazil: SC orders probe against Bolsonaro in Covid vaccine deal

The Supreme Court of Brazil  has authorised a criminal investigation against the president Jair Bolsonaro over allegations of graft in a now-suspended deal with an Indian firm to purchase made in India vaccines against the coronavirus disease. "The investigation is supported by a recent testimony in a Senate committee investigating the government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic," Supreme Court's Justice Rosa Weber said on Friday, pronouncing the order.

On June 25, Luis Ricardo Miranda, the chief of Brazilian health ministry's import division, and his brother, a lawmaker who was until recently allied with Bolsonaro, testified before the Senate committee over the allegations. Miranda has alleged he was under "undue pressure" to sign off on the deal with India's Bharat Biotech International Limited for 20 million doses of its anti Covid-19 shot, Covaxin. He also spoke of "irregularities" in the invoices, particularly in a $45 million upfront paymentNow, prosecutors will probe Bolsonaro, who has denied any wrongdoing, for "prevarication." to a Singapore-based company. In their deposition, the Miranda brothers also accused Bolsonaro of assuring them he would report the alleged irregularities to the Federal Police. The police, however, say they never received any request to investigate the deal.

The development comes at a time when Bolsonaro is facing pressure over his government's handling of the pandemic. He is also due to face a presidential election next year. Now, prosecutors will probe Bolsonaro, who has denied any wrongdoing, for "prevarication." Meanwhile, Bharat Biotech, headquartered  has denied receiving any advance payment from the Bolsonaro government for Covaxin. Though the vaccine received emergency use authorisation (EUA) in the Latin American nation in early June, negotiations between the two sides were on for the last seven-eight months.