This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-46063656

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro makes top judge Sergio Moro justice minister Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro makes top judge Sergio Moro justice minister
(35 minutes later)
Brazil's far-right president-elect Jair Bolsonaro has convinced prominent anti-corruption judge Sergio Moro to lead the country's justice ministry.Brazil's far-right president-elect Jair Bolsonaro has convinced prominent anti-corruption judge Sergio Moro to lead the country's justice ministry.
Mr Moro said on Thursday it was an "honour" to be asked to be minister overseeing justice and public security.Mr Moro said on Thursday it was an "honour" to be asked to be minister overseeing justice and public security.
But his appointment is likely to fuel allegations that his high-profile anti-fraud probe was politically motivated.But his appointment is likely to fuel allegations that his high-profile anti-fraud probe was politically motivated.
Operation Car Wash, as his inquiry was known, was accused of unfairly targeting left-wing politicians.Operation Car Wash, as his inquiry was known, was accused of unfairly targeting left-wing politicians.
Its biggest scalp was leftist ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was a frontrunner in the election before his 12-year jail sentence last April for corruption.Its biggest scalp was leftist ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was a frontrunner in the election before his 12-year jail sentence last April for corruption.
Mr Bolsonaro won a sweeping election victory earlier this week.Mr Bolsonaro won a sweeping election victory earlier this week.
He is a polarising figure, whose praise of Brazil's former dictatorship and comments on race, women and homosexuality have raised concerns.He is a polarising figure, whose praise of Brazil's former dictatorship and comments on race, women and homosexuality have raised concerns.
Mr Bolsonaro made it known earlier this week that he wanted Mr Moro to be justice minister, saying he was a person "of extreme importance in a government like ours".Mr Bolsonaro made it known earlier this week that he wanted Mr Moro to be justice minister, saying he was a person "of extreme importance in a government like ours".
The two men met in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday.The two men met in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday.
"Federal judge Sergio Moro has accepted our invitation to be minister of justice and public security. His anti-corruption, anti-organised crime agenda and his respect for the constitution and the law will be our guiding principle!" Mr Bolsonaro tweeted."Federal judge Sergio Moro has accepted our invitation to be minister of justice and public security. His anti-corruption, anti-organised crime agenda and his respect for the constitution and the law will be our guiding principle!" Mr Bolsonaro tweeted.
Mr Moro later confirmed in a statement that he had "accepted the invitation as an honour".Mr Moro later confirmed in a statement that he had "accepted the invitation as an honour".
Who is Sergio Moro?Who is Sergio Moro?
The federal judge was in charge of Operation Car Wash, a major investigation into claims that executives at the state oil company Petrobras accepted bribes in return for awarding contracts to construction firms.The federal judge was in charge of Operation Car Wash, a major investigation into claims that executives at the state oil company Petrobras accepted bribes in return for awarding contracts to construction firms.
He uncovered a huge web of corruption involving top-level politicians from a broad spectrum of parties.He uncovered a huge web of corruption involving top-level politicians from a broad spectrum of parties.
His crusade against corruption has made him a hero to many, but others accuse him of disproportionately targeting left-wing politicians, especially those in the former ruling Workers' Party.His crusade against corruption has made him a hero to many, but others accuse him of disproportionately targeting left-wing politicians, especially those in the former ruling Workers' Party.
Former President Lula has repeatedly said he is a victim of a political witch-hunt.Former President Lula has repeatedly said he is a victim of a political witch-hunt.
Mr Moro, who in 2016 told newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo that he would never enter politics, has said he will now hand over his investigative work to other judges.Mr Moro, who in 2016 told newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo that he would never enter politics, has said he will now hand over his investigative work to other judges.
What is Mr Bolsonaro likely to do in office?What is Mr Bolsonaro likely to do in office?
Mr Bolsonaro has pledged to loosen Brazil's gun laws this year, before he even takes office on 1 January 2019. He insists that more widespread gun ownership will help to cut crime, but critics warn that such a move will only worsen violent crime in Brazil.Mr Bolsonaro has pledged to loosen Brazil's gun laws this year, before he even takes office on 1 January 2019. He insists that more widespread gun ownership will help to cut crime, but critics warn that such a move will only worsen violent crime in Brazil.
The President-elect has also said he will:The President-elect has also said he will:
Mr Bolsonaro is seeking to reduce the number of government ministries by merging some departments to create "super ministries". As well as merging the justice and public security portfolios, his administration is also merging the ministries of agriculture and the environment, and creating an economic "super ministry" combining finance, planning, industry and trade.
Mr Bolsonaro leads the Social Liberal Party (PSL), an anti-establishment group that combines social conservatism and pro-market policies.Mr Bolsonaro leads the Social Liberal Party (PSL), an anti-establishment group that combines social conservatism and pro-market policies.
In the past he has defended the killing of opponents to the country's former military regime and said he is "in favour of dictatorship".In the past he has defended the killing of opponents to the country's former military regime and said he is "in favour of dictatorship".
However, as the election result became clear on Sunday evening, he told supporters he would be a "defender of democracy" and uphold the constitution.However, as the election result became clear on Sunday evening, he told supporters he would be a "defender of democracy" and uphold the constitution.
He has also promised to reduce state intervention in the economy and indicated that Brazil could pull out of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.He has also promised to reduce state intervention in the economy and indicated that Brazil could pull out of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.
It remains unclear whether Mr Bolsonaro will be able to see all his policies pass through Congress.It remains unclear whether Mr Bolsonaro will be able to see all his policies pass through Congress.
You may also be interested in:You may also be interested in: