[ad_1]
Billionaire Bernie Ecclestone was arrested last night in Brazil after illegally transporting a pistol, while taking a private plane to go to Switzerland.
Brazilian police found an undocumented LW Seecamp .32mm pistol in the luggage of the former Formula 1 owner during an X-ray scan at the airport.
They added that he had been arrested and held on the premises of Viracopos airport near Campinas.
The 91-year-old British financier admitted ownership of the gun but said he did not know it was in his luggage. After paying bail he was released to continue the journey.
Illegal possession of a firearm in Brazil carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison, but Ecclestone was acquitted on the grounds of “outstanding personal status, property and the nature of the offense”.
The local daily Globowrote that the pistol “had no cartridge and no ammunition.”
Ecclestone had stated that he had bought the gun a few years ago from an F1 mechanic and that he kept it on his rural properties in São Paulo.
The newspaper added that the freedom paid by the millionaire was 6,060 real ($ 1200).
Ecclestone had chosen not to call the lawyer while his wife was serving as a translator.
The 91-year-old is married to Brazilian Fabiana Ecclestone, former deputy. president of the FIA Automobile Federation.
They had participated in several events in the Latin American country including the Stock Car race near São Paulo as well as met with former local automotive champion Nelson Piquet in Brasilia.
top channel
[ad_2]
Source link
