Investigation Launched into Alleged Harassment of Humpback Whale by Former Brazilian President
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is once again making headlines, and this time it’s for an unusual reason. Bolsonaro is under investigation for allegedly “harassing” a humpback whale while riding a personal watercraft off Sao Paulo’s coast last year. The incident, which was captured on video and circulated on social media, has sparked outrage and landed the former president in legal trouble.
Under Brazilian legislation, motored vessels are required to keep a minimum distance of 100 meters from whales and other cetaceans. Any intentional attempt to get closer can lead to a sentence of up to two to five years in prison and a fine. In the video, a man on a personal watercraft can be seen riding close to the whale, violating these regulations.
Federal prosecutors, who are investigating the case, have identified the man in the video as Bolsonaro himself. The former president appeared at the federal police in Sao Paulo on Tuesday to meet with officers, accompanied by his lawyer and former adviser who was also present at the time of the alleged incident.
For Bolsonaro’s large base of supporters, this investigation is seen as yet another example of their former leader being politically persecuted. Bolsonaro has faced numerous legal challenges since leaving office a year ago, including being banned from running for office until 2030, investigated for plotting a coup to remove his successor from power, and having his passport seized.
Last week, Bolsonaro was questioned by officers in Brasilia for allegedly plotting a coup to remove his successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, from power. Supreme Court documents suggest that Bolsonaro and some of his aides had prepared a decree that would have declared the 2022 election fraudulent if he had lost to his opponent. The decree also planned for the arrest of a Supreme Court justice and the convening of a new election. While Bolsonaro lost the election, the decree was never issued, and the alleged plan was never put into action.
In addition to these investigations, Bolsonaro and his close aides have faced questions regarding the attempted smuggling of diamond jewelry and the sale of luxury watches that Bolsonaro received as gifts while in office. The nation’s intelligence agency is also under investigation for alleged spying on Bolsonaro’s political opponents during his term.
Legal experts suggest that if police can prove that Bolsonaro intentionally approached the whale, he could face a fine at most. In a similar case in the same location, a local politician was fined just over $500. However, supporters of Bolsonaro argue that these charges are politically motivated and part of a larger effort to discredit and persecute him.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen what consequences, if any, Bolsonaro will face for his alleged harassment of the humpback whale. For now, the former president continues to deny any wrongdoing and maintains his innocence.
