Brazil's Supreme Court Likely to Reject Suspension of Charge Against President Temer

09/20/2017 - 10h25

The Federal Supreme Court (STF, in its Portuguese acronym) will consider on Wednesday (20th) the request of the defense of President Michel Temer to suspend the processing of a second indictment, in which he is accused of obstruction of justice and participation in a criminal organization.

The ministers tend to reject the suspension of the procedure.

The case began to be discussed last week. Magistrates debate whether the request is constitutional.

Temer's defense alleges that the processing of the charge should be suspended until "preliminary issues" surrounding the evidence of the JBS plea-bargain deal are resolved.

The information provided by the meatpacking company's collaborators was used as the basis for the indictment.

In addition to the JBS plea-bargain deal, the then Prosecutor General, Rodrigo Janot, relied on dozens of other informers and at least 15 facts still under investigation to make the accusations.

Janot broke the agreement with the JBS informers, but the material delivered by them remains in the possession of the Prosecutor General's Office.

NO RETURN

On Friday (15th), Temer asked Fachin to return the charges to the Prosecutor General's Office before the plenary decided on the suspension of the proceedings

On Tuesday (19th), Fachin said that since the trial has already begun, there is no decision on this request, and only the outcome of the plenary should be expected.

The defense argues that the complaint includes facts prior to Temer's term.

Translated by MARINA DELLA VALLE

Read the article in the original language

	Apu Gomes/AFP
	Brazil's President Michel Temer