Brazil's Supreme Court investigates funding for film about ex-President Bolsonaro

Brasilia (ANTARA) - Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court on Friday (May 15) ordered an investigation into the possible diversion of parliamentary funds for cultural projects, including a film about former president Jair Bolsonaro.

The order was issued by Judge Flavio Dino following a complaint filed earlier this year by parliament member Tabata Amaral from the Brazilian Socialist Party.

Amaral accused that public funds allocated through parliamentary amendments were possibly used for electoral marketing and audiovisual content related to Bolsonaro, who is currently serving a sentence for attempting a coup.

According to the complaint, a number of parliament members from Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party allegedly diverted a total of 2.6 million Brazilian reais (1 Brazilian real = IDR 3,473) or the equivalent of 514,000 US dollars (1 US dollar = IDR 17,514) from parliamentary amendments.

The case emerged amid media reports that Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the former president’s son and a presidential candidate, requested 130 million Brazilian reais from a private banker who is currently in prison on fraud charges.

The funds were reportedly intended for a feature film about Bolsonaro’s life titled “Dark Horse”.

Brazilian authorities are trying to determine whether public budget funds have an illegal connection with the financing of the film’s production. The case is currently confidential while evidence is being collected.