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Brazilian police accuse Lula, Rousseff of obstructing investigations: report

Xinhua, February 21, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Brazilian federal police said former Presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff, as well as former Education Minister Aloizio Mercadante, obstructed corruption investigations against them, O Estado de Sao Paulo daily reported Monday.

The three officials were involved in the scandal revealed by the Carwash Operation, a federal police investigation that initially dealt with a corruption scheme at state-owned oil company Petrobras, but later grew to include corruption in other governmental contracts with private companies.

According to the daily, federal police chief Marlon Oliveira Cajado dos Santos sent the report to Supreme Court Minister Edson Fachin, the rapporteur of the Carwash Operation cases in the court.

In his report, Santos suggested that Lula, Rousseff and Mercadante be formally denounced for their alleged obstruction of justice.

It is unclear whether the three politicians, if indicted, would enjoy the privilege of being tried by the Supreme Court.

According to news outlet G1, Lula's defense team said the federal police's conclusion lacks legal basis, accusing Santos of persecuting the former president.

Rousseff denied all the accusations against her, and her lawyer said the report only shows the chief's personal opinion on the case. Endi