Brazil senator files criminal complaint against Bolsonaro over vaccine deal

FILE PHOTO: Brazilian Senator Randolfe Rodrigues looks on during a meeting of the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee (CPI) to investigate government actions and management during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, at the Federal Senate in Brasilia, Brazil May 5, 2021. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - An opposition senator filed a formal criminal complaint at the Supreme Court on Monday against Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for his role in a COVID-19 vaccine deal that is under investigation for alleged irregularities.

Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing in the deal to buy vaccines developed by India's Bharat Biotech, saying on Monday that he was not aware of any irregularities. A Health Ministry whistleblower has said he personally alerted the president to being pressured by his superiors to buy the shots.