Brazil top court gives nod for probe into Bolsonaro over vaccine deal

Brazil's Supreme Court Justice Rosa Weber has authorized an investigation of President Jair Bolsonaro by the top prosecutor's office for dereliction of duty in the process of procuring an Indian COVID-19 vaccine, according to a copy of the decision, as reported by Investing.com.

Bolsonaro has been implicated in allegations of irregularities surrounding a 1.6 billion reais ($316 million) contract signed in February for 20 million vaccine doses with a Brazilian intermediary for the vaccine's maker, Bharat Biotech.

A Brazilian Senate commission has cited suspicions of overpricing and corruption related to the contract. The government suspended the contract after allegations of irregularities surfaced.

Brazilian federal prosecutors and the comptroller general's office are also separately investigating alleged irregularities in the deal.