This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/08/moro-lula-leaks-bolosnaro-justice-minister-takes-leave-brazil

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bolsonaro minister who jailed Lula takes leave after leaks cast doubt on impartiality Bolsonaro minister who jailed Lula takes leave after leaks cast doubt on impartiality
(about 1 hour later)
Brazil’s justice minister, Sérgio Moro, has been granted a leave of absence following a slew of damaging leaks that cast serious doubts over his impartiality as a judge in a sweeping graft scandal. Brazil’s justice minister, Sérgio Moro, has been granted a leave of absence following a slew of damaging leaks that have cast serious doubts over his impartiality as a judge in a sweeping graft scandal.
Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s far-right president, approved the break, from 15-19 July, for Moro to “deal with personal matters”, according to an official government document published on Monday.Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s far-right president, approved the break, from 15-19 July, for Moro to “deal with personal matters”, according to an official government document published on Monday.
The ministry said Moro will be on holiday, but analysts speculated Moro’s job was threatened following leaked cellphone chats which showed that as a judge, he guided prosecutors in the investigation which led to the imprisonment of powerful businessmen and politicians including the former Workers’ party president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.The ministry said Moro will be on holiday, but analysts speculated Moro’s job was threatened following leaked cellphone chats which showed that as a judge, he guided prosecutors in the investigation which led to the imprisonment of powerful businessmen and politicians including the former Workers’ party president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Brazil: calls grow for Bolsonaro ally to quit after 'devastating' report on leaksBrazil: calls grow for Bolsonaro ally to quit after 'devastating' report on leaks
The leaks, published since 9 June by the Intercept Brasil with some of Brazil’s major media outlets, have unleashed a political storm. The leaks, published since 9 June by the Intercept with some of Brazil’s major media outlets, have unleashed a political storm.
“It’s not common for ministers to take leave of absence,” said Jairo Nicolau, a professor of political science at Rio’s Getulio Vargas Foundation, a business school. “Moro’s situation is getting more and more difficult.”“It’s not common for ministers to take leave of absence,” said Jairo Nicolau, a professor of political science at Rio’s Getulio Vargas Foundation, a business school. “Moro’s situation is getting more and more difficult.”
Moro became a national hero for his role in Operation Car Wash. In July 2017, he jailed Lula, who was then barred from last year’s presidential elections.Moro became a national hero for his role in Operation Car Wash. In July 2017, he jailed Lula, who was then barred from last year’s presidential elections.
Soon after Bolsonaro won, Moro accepted the job as justice minister. He has maintained the conversations showed no wrongdoing, describing them as a “criminal attack” and suggesting they had been doctored. Soon after Bolsonaro won the presidency, Moro accepted the job as justice minister. He has maintained that the conversations showed no wrongdoing, describing them as a “criminal attack” and suggesting they had been doctored.
During a grilling in congress, Moro refused to comment on a report that federal police had asked a finance ministry money laundering unit to investigate the American journalist Glenn Greenwald, the co-founder of the Intercept.During a grilling in congress, Moro refused to comment on a report that federal police had asked a finance ministry money laundering unit to investigate the American journalist Glenn Greenwald, the co-founder of the Intercept.
'A bad trip': Jair Bolsonaro's first six months leave even the right dismayed'A bad trip': Jair Bolsonaro's first six months leave even the right dismayed
On Monday, Brazil’s federal court of accounts said it would give the unit 24-hours to explain the supposed investigation which it called “persecution and abuse of power, to intimidate the journalist” and a waste of public money.On Monday, Brazil’s federal court of accounts said it would give the unit 24-hours to explain the supposed investigation which it called “persecution and abuse of power, to intimidate the journalist” and a waste of public money.
Bolsonaro had promised to take Moro onto the pitch at Sunday’s final of the Copa América to test his popularity.Bolsonaro had promised to take Moro onto the pitch at Sunday’s final of the Copa América to test his popularity.
But though Brazil won the final, beating Peru 3-1, Moro watched from the stands as Bolsonaro descended to the pitch to present medals without him, facing loud boos as well as cheers.But though Brazil won the final, beating Peru 3-1, Moro watched from the stands as Bolsonaro descended to the pitch to present medals without him, facing loud boos as well as cheers.
A Datafolha poll published Monday showed 33% thought Bolsonaro was doing a “great or good” job and 33% “bad or terrible”, making him the least popular new president since 1990.A Datafolha poll published Monday showed 33% thought Bolsonaro was doing a “great or good” job and 33% “bad or terrible”, making him the least popular new president since 1990.
“Moro was always seen as untouchable,” said Rafael Cortez, a political scientist and partner at São Paulo consulting outfit Tendências. Now, Cortez said, he and the Car Wash prosecutors “have become hostages to the next leaks”.“Moro was always seen as untouchable,” said Rafael Cortez, a political scientist and partner at São Paulo consulting outfit Tendências. Now, Cortez said, he and the Car Wash prosecutors “have become hostages to the next leaks”.
BrazilBrazil
Jair BolsonaroJair Bolsonaro
AmericasAmericas
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content