Brasilia, June 19 (RHC)-- Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro made statements for which he apologized this Sunday, after stating that messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines against COVID-19 contain "graphene."

The president argued that this substance accumulates in "the testicles and ovaries" while participating in a Liberal Party (PL) event on Saturday, next to his former Minister of Science and Technology and current senator Marcos Pontes.  The far-right leader referred to having read in the prospectus of the vaccines created with mRNA technology, they contained "graphene" particles, an assertion he later denied, according to a local newspaper referring to a mistake on his part.

"As is common knowledge I am excited about the working potential of graphene oxide and inadvertently linked the substance to the vaccine, a fact denied in August 2021.  Once again, I regret what I said and I apologize," he said.

Already in August 2021, during one of the waves of contamination by the disease, the former president associated the vaccination with the AIDS virus, an act that resulted in being investigated in an inquiry by the Supreme Federal Court (STF).

The admission of guilt takes place five days before the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) decides on his disqualification precisely for spreading lies.

Bolsonaro is accused of transmitting lies about the operation of electronic voting machines to ambassadors during last year's election campaign.