BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- A justice of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court on Thursday authorized an investigation into former President Jair Bolsonaro, his son and lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, and 22 aides over alleged graft and embezzlement of public funds in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Federal Police requested the investigation on the basis of the final report of the COVID-19 Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI).

"The parliamentary inquiry found evidence of crimes against the public administration, particularly in contracts, fraud in tenders, overpricing, misappropriation of public funds, the signing of contracts with shell companies to supply generic or fictitious services, among other crimes mentioned in the CPI report," said Justice Flavio Dino.

"I accept the request of the Federal Police and determine the conversion of this petition into a police investigation, setting an initial deadline of 60 days for the investigations," he added.

The CPI report, concluded in October 2021, found that Bolsonaro and his aides made decisions that hampered the fight against the pandemic and recommended that those responsible be held accountable.

On Sept. 11, Brazil's top court sentenced Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison for attempting a coup. Enditem