Accusations against Rousseff 'untruthful'

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has said the accusations against her were "untruthful" after the prosecutor general urged that she be investigated for obstruction of justice.

The investigation, if allowed by the Supreme Court, will only find out that those who accused her have lied, Xinhua news agency quoted the president as saying on Wednesday.

Senator Delcidio do Amaral has testified and accused Rousseff of trying to interfere in the Carwash Operation, the three-year-long police probe aimed at uncovering a major corruption scheme at Petrobras and its developments.

Amaral's testimony was recently leaked to the press without accompanying evidence.

"Senator Delcidio's words are absolutely fallacious and untruthful," Rousseff said at a ceremony of the government's Agricultural Plan.

General Prosecutor Rodrigo Janot on Tuesday requested a probe be started on the testimony of Amaral. It was the first time Rousseff was officially accused since the scandal broke out.

"I am aware of Senator Delcidio's list and I think his credibility is rather precarious. I believe it is necessary to investigate where his statements came from," she said.

Rousseff is going through an impeachment process and her case is being analysed by a Senate commission.

Should the Senate, which is due to vote on May 11, decide to begin an impeachment trial, Rousseff will have to be out of office for 180 days for the trial to proceed, with Vice President Michel Temer taking over as acting president.

If Rousseff is finally impeached with a two-thirds majority of the Senate, Temer will complete her mandate through January 1, 2019.

--IANS

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