Brazil’s Bolsonaro accused of “crimes against humanity” over COVID response

Enlarge / President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro coughs during a press conference. (credit: Getty | Andressa Anholete)

A Brazilian Senate committee investigating the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic has recommended that President Jair Bolsonaro face nine criminal charges, including "crimes against humanity," for his role in the public health crisis.

In a lengthy report released Wednesday, the 11-member committee said that Bolsonaro allowed the pandemic coronavirus to spread freely through the country in a failed attempt to achieve herd immunity, leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. The report also took aim at Bolsonaro's promotion of ineffective treatments, such as hydroxychloroquine. The committee blames the president's policies for the deaths of more than 300,000 Brazilians.

In addition to crimes against humanity, the committee accused Bolsonaro of quackery, malfeasance, inciting crime, improper use of public funds, and forgery. In all, the committee called for indictments of 66 people, including Bolsonaro and three of his sons, as well as two companies.

Read 6 remaining paragraphs | Comments