Bolsonaro awarded damages in palace furniture row
A Brazilian court has mandated that the state pay former President Jair Bolsonaro approximately $2,600 (£2,025) in damages related to allegations that he took furniture from the presidential residence.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had publicly accused Bolsonaro of removing over 260 items, including “the bed,” from Alvorada Palace as he moved out. Bolsonaro and his wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, later stated that they had placed publicly-owned furniture in storage during Bolsonaro’s three-year presidency (2019-2022), preferring to furnish the residence according to their taste.
On Tuesday, a federal judge ruled that the Bolsonaros should be compensated for “moral damage” caused by the accusations that they had emptied the palace of numerous items.
The state legal office told AFP news agency it would appeal Tuesday’s ruling.
Separately, Jair Bolsonaro is still facing other legal challenges, including an investigation into whether he incited rioters who stormed key government buildings after he narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election to his left-wing rival.
He has voiced “regret” for the unrest, but denies he caused it.
However, Brazil’s Supreme Court has agreed to include him in its investigation into the storming of government buildings on 8 January 2023.
Bolsonaro was in the US when the attack on Congress happened, but he returned to Brazil in March 2023 saying he had nothing to fear.
He remains the most influential figurehead for the right in Brazilian politics.
