Bernie Ecclestone: Ex-F1 boss arrested in Brazil for illegally carrying a gun, say police | World News
According to police, former Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has been arrested in Brazil for illegally carrying a firearm.
The British businessman was arrested late Wednesday at Viracopos airport in Campinas, Sao Paulo state, while boarding a private jet to Switzerland.
Officers said an undocumented LW Seecamp .32 gun was found in his luggage during an X-ray inspection.
Police added that Ecclestone admitted to possessing the weapon but said he did not know it was in his luggage.
The 91-year-old has paid bail and is free to travel to Switzerland.
The Sao Paulo state public security office said the “small, silver pistol” was out of ammunition and the detainee had to pay 6,060 Brazilian reals (£1,000) to be released on bail. It added.
Ecclestone is married to Fabiana Ecclestone, a Brazilian native who is FIA vice president and member of the World Motor Sports Council.
They attended several events in Brazil this month, including a local auto race in the countryside near Sao Paulo and a meeting with triple world champion Nelson Piquet in Brasilia.
He is married to Fabiana Ecclestone, FIA vice president and member of the World Council of Motor Sports. File photo
The Ecclestones own a coffee plantation near Sao Paulo, which they bought in 2012 and where they regularly spend time when not in Europe.
