Zimpapers Logo

RIO DE JANEIRO. — Brazilian President Michel Temer has been indicted for corruption, money laundering and conspiracy to commit crimes, Brazil’s Federal Police said on Tuesday.

In their report, the Federal Police said that there was enough evidence of the crimes and thus requested the blockage of the president’s assets.

In addition to Temer, other 10 people, including his daughter Maristela and a close friend, Colonel Joao Baptista Lima Filho, were indicted as well; the police also requested the blockade of their assets.

The case was forwarded to the Chief Prosecution Office, which will have 15 days to decide whether to pursue the case against the president.  If the prosecution office decides to denounce Temer to the Supreme Court, the Federal Assembly will be required to allow the case to move forward.

Temer has already escaped denouncements twice since he took over the presidency in August 2016. His term will last until December 2019.

According to the Federal Police, the president issued decrees to change regulations in the port sector in exchange for illicit advantages.

He postponed the maximum deadline for the concessions of ports to the private sector from 25 to 35 years, renewable for the same amount of time. The president’s defense said that they have yet to be informed of the contents of the police report. – Xinhua