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Brazil's Rousseff denies claims of obstruction of justice | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff says accusations that she tried to block a major corruption investigation into state-owned oil company Petrobras are "false and irresponsible". | |
On Tuesday, Brazil's Attorney General Rodrigo Janot asked the Supreme Court to authorise an investigation against Ms Rousseff for obstruction of justice. | |
Mr Janot also accused the former president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, of involvement in the scandal. | |
Lula has denied any wrongdoing. | |
The allegations were based on evidence given by Senator Delcidio do Amaral, who as part of a plea bargain agreed to testify against other suspects after being arrested last year. | |
President Rousseff described Mr Amaral as a compulsive liar. | |
"Any opening of an investigation I am sure will show that Senator Delcidio do Amaral was lying," Ms Rousseff told journalists in Brasilia. | "Any opening of an investigation I am sure will show that Senator Delcidio do Amaral was lying," Ms Rousseff told journalists in Brasilia. |
The allegations come as Ms Rousseff is already under immense political pressure. | |
Senators are expected to vote next week on whether to start an impeachment trial against her over separate allegations. | |
She is accused of illegally manipulating the federal budget ahead of her re-election in 2014, which she denies. | |
If the Senate votes in favour of the trial going ahead, Mr Rousseff will be suspended for 180 days. | |
Allegations against Lula | |
Mr Janot also asked the Supreme Court to authorise an investigation into Lula for alleged corruption, accusing the former president of playing a key role in the Petrobras scheme. | |
He said the corruption could not have taken place without the participation of the former leader, who served as Brazilian president between 2003 and 2011. | He said the corruption could not have taken place without the participation of the former leader, who served as Brazilian president between 2003 and 2011. |
He requested authorisation to investigate Lula and 29 other senior politicians, officials and businessmen. | He requested authorisation to investigate Lula and 29 other senior politicians, officials and businessmen. |
Prosecutors say the corruption scheme is estimated to have cost the company more than $2bn (£1.45bn). | |
Part of the money, they say, was used to finance the electoral campaign of top Brazilian politicians. | |
Several politicians, Petrobras executives and businessmen have been arrested and sentenced as part of the two-year investigation. | |
Ms Rousseff served as the head of Petrobras for much of the period when the corruption took place, but she has not been implicated in the scandals. | Ms Rousseff served as the head of Petrobras for much of the period when the corruption took place, but she has not been implicated in the scandals. |