Ex-aide to Bolsonaro's son arrested on corruption charges

A former aide to a son of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was arrested on corruption charges.

Fabricio Queiroz, the former assistant to Flavio Bolsonaro, who is a senator, had disappeared from the public eye for over a year, but was located at the home of Frederick Wassef, the latter's lawyer, reports Xinhua news agency.

He was arrested from there on Thursday.

Queiroz is suspected of participating in a scheme to embezzle public funds through Flavio Bolsonaro's office when the latter was a state representative in Rio de Janeiro, a post he held until his election to the Senate in 2018.

Queiroz's bank statements show he dealt with amounts incompatible with his salary, receiving over 2 million reals ($372,000 ) in bank deposits from several employees of the Rio de Janeiro State Assembly, prosecutors said.

Senator Bolsonaro is suspected of being the main beneficiary of the scheme.

A warrant has also been issued for Queiroz's wife, Marcia, who is considered to be a fugitive.

Prosecutors consider Queiroz a flight risk and have requested his preventive detention.

( With inputs from IANS )