Brazil Petrobras Corruption Scandal: Former President Lula Detained For Questioning

Police in Brazil detained former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Friday after they raided his home and other addresses related to him, while acting on a warrant that would oblige Lula to cooperate with an investigation into corruption charges at the state-run oil giant Petrobras, reports said.

One of the lines of investigation against Lula, who served two terms as Brazil’s president, is that he may have received undue favors from construction firms already under investigation, which could have paid for the development of his ranch, the BBC reported. Lula has consistently denied charges against him.

The long-running investigation, called Operation Car Wash, is probing allegations of money laundering and corruption at Petrobras. Officials reportedly said 33 search warrants and 11 detention warrants were being carried out.

Federal police officer Jose Cyrispiniano confirmed that officers were present at addresses belonging to Silva, including the Instituto Lula, his charity organization, the Guardian reported. Raids were being carried out in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Bahia states, according to Bloomberg.