Will Brazil’s president be prosecuted for COVID-19 deaths?
Brazilian Senate inquiry says Jair Bolsonaro should face crimes against humanity charges for mishandling the pandemic.
More than 600,000 Brazilians have died of COVID-19, the world’s second-highest death toll.
President Jair Bolsonaro famously dismissed the coronavirus as “a little flu”.
He touted misinformation and unproven treatments, even after contracting the virus himself.
Now a Senate inquiry says Bolsonaro should face charges including crimes against humanity.
The panel accused him of negligence, and intentionally letting the virus spread.
Bolsonaro says he is “guilty of nothing”.
But is he likely to face prosecution?
And could this lead to further political divisions in Brazil?
Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom
Guests:
Gustavo Ribeiro – Founder, The Brazilian Report
Joao Nunes – Senior lecturer in international relations, University of York
Paulo Sotero – Distinguished fellow, Brazil Institute, Woodrow Wilson Center