Brazil's President Michel Temer charged with corruption

http://www.dw.com/en/brazils-president-michel-temer-charged-with-corruption/a-39429761

Brazil's President Michel Temer charged with corruption

27.06.2017

Brazilian President Michel Temer has been charged with corruption in the latest graft scandal to hit the country. He is the country's first president to face criminal charges while in office.

Brazil's Attorney General Rodrigo Janot on Monday formally accused President Michel Temer of corruption in what is expected to be the first in a series of criminal charges against the unpopular leader. Janot delivered the charge to the Supreme Court, accusing Temer of receiving a $150,000 (135,000-euro) bribe from the world's largest meat-packing company JBS, which is implicated in a sprawling corruption scandal. Janot accused Temer not only of corruption but also of obstruction of justice and being involved in organized crime.

Under Brazilian law, the country's lower house of congress must vote on whether to try a sitting president. Lawmakers within Temer's coalition are confident they have enough votes to block the two-third majority required to proceed with a trial.
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If two-thirds of the lower house decides to try Temer, he will be suspended for up to 180 days while his trial is conducted. House Speaker Rodrigo Maia, an ally of Temer, would then be interim president.
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