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Brazil crisis: Rousseff says investigation request 'based on lies' Brazil's Rousseff denies claims of obstruction of justice
(about 1 hour later)
Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff says a reported request by the country's attorney general to investigate her is based in lies. 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".
Rodrigo Janot has asked the Supreme Court to authorise an inquiry over allegations she tried to block a corruption investigation at the state oil company Petrobras, reports said. 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's office has not commented. Mr Janot also accused the former president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, of involvement in the scandal.
Already under pressure, Ms Rousseff could face the start of an impeachment process as early as next week. Lula has denied any wrongdoing.
She is accused of manipulating the federal budget in a separate case, allegations she rejects. 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.
If the Senate approves proceedings, Mr Rousseff will be suspended for 180 days. President Rousseff described Mr Amaral as a compulsive liar.
Brazil's media reported that Mr Janot cited Lula's controversial nomination by Ms Rousseff as her chief of staff as part of his request.
Lula is accused of getting a penthouse flat in favourable conditions from a building company involved in the Petrobras scandal investigated by Operation Car Wash, or Lava Jato.
His appointment was seen as an attempt to protect him from possible prosecution on corruption charges, something both have denied.
Under Brazilian law, members of the cabinet can only be investigated by the Supreme Court.
Mr Janot's move follows testimony by Senator Delcidio Amaral, a former Workers' Party politician, as part of a plea bargain deal in which he revealed details of the Petrobras scheme.
"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.
A spokeswoman at the attorney general's office told the BBC it was not commenting on the media reports. The allegations come as Ms Rousseff is already under immense political pressure.
Mr Janot has also asked the Supreme Court to authorise an investigation against Lula for alleged corruption, accusing the former president of playing a key role in the Petrobras scheme. 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.
The speaker of the lower house of Congress, Eduardo Cunha - a former government ally who is now in the opposition - and ministers from President Dilma Rousseff's cabinet are on Mr Janot's list. Prosecutors say the corruption scheme is estimated to have cost the company more than $2bn (£1.45bn).
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. 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 probe. 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.