Prosecutor-General Says He's Not in a Hurry to File New Charges Against President Temer

07/18/2017 - 10h43

Brazil's Prosecutor-General, Rodrigo Janot, says that he is not in any hurry to file new charges against President Michel Temer.

"If any ongoing investigation has matured by the 15th of September [Janot's last day in his position], I will file charges", he declared.

Janot has already charged Temer with accepting bribes based on plea-bargain testimony from businessman Joesley Batista, of the giant meatpacking company JBS .

The lower House of Congress still has to decide whether or not to give its approval to the investigations - a vote on the matter has been scheduled for August the 2nd.

The Constitution and Justice Committee has already rejected a report in favor of the charges.

Participating in an event in the United States, the Prosecutor said that he would accept "as totally natural" the potential rejection of the opening of a case against Temer.

Janot also said that when he received the first reports of corruption at JBS involving the President, he thought that they were lies.

The Planalto Palace is working to contain a growing rebellion in the governing coalition, including within the PMDB Party itself, in voting on the charges.

The leadership of Temer's party figures that at least eight congressmen - more than 10% of its 63 members - could end up voting against the President.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

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	Pedro Ladeira - 28.mar.2017/Folhapress
	Brazil's Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot