Brazilian police raid Jair Bolsonaro's home after allegations of fake Covid vaccination records

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro near his house after a police search Photo: ERALDO PEREZ/AP

Brazilian police searched former President Jair Bolsonaro's house and confiscated his phone as part of an investigation into allegations that Covid-19 vaccination certificates were forged to allow travel abroad.

Widely criticized for his unorthodox handling of the pandemic, Mr Bolsonaro has repeatedly said he is not vaccinated against Covid-19.

The Federal Police confirmed they are investigating «the introduction of falsified Covid-19 vaccination data» 34; to the health ministry's electronic vaccination record system, but did not name Mr. Bolsonaro.

Police said they executed 16 search and seizure warrants and six arrest warrants as part of the operation. .

Police reportedly arrested Bolsonaro's top aide, army officer Mauro Cid.

Mr. Bolsonaro confirmed that the police raided his house and seized his phone.

The ex-president of the far right said that «there was no falsification on my part», accusing the authorities of trying to #34; fabricate case".

An officer guards Bolsonaro's mansion during a search operation Photo: ADRIANO MACHADO/REUTERS

Mr Bolsonaro left Brazil for the United States in December after he lost his re-election bid to veteran leftist Luis Inácio Lula da Silva — an election that has been highly divisive mostly over the far-right incumbent's widely criticized Covid management -19. , which has claimed more than 700,000 lives in Brazil.

The US requires international air passengers to show proof of vaccination against Covid-19, a requirement announced by the White House on Monday, to expire May 11.

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Mr Bolsonaro, who defied the advice of pandemic experts and joked that a vaccine could «turn you into an alligator,» remained in Orlando, Florida until March 30, when he returned to Brazil.

"Falsified records made between November 2021 and December 2022 resulted in a change in the true Covid-19 vaccination status of the individuals in question" the police said in a statement.

"As a result, people were able to issue vaccination certificates and use them to circumvent medical restrictions imposed by the Brazilian and US authorities.” 34;