Brazilian police detain former president Lula in corruption inquiry

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>Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva questioned after police raids in new phase of investigation into bribery and kickback allegations

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/04/brazil-police-raid-home-former-president-lula-petrobas

>The detention of the influential Workers’ party politician – who is best known by his nickname Lula – marked a dramatic new phase of the Lava Jato (“carwash”) inquiry into bribery and kickback allegations involving leading Brazilian companies and dozens of congressmen.

>It is likely to add to the pressure on the government of Dilma Rousseff, who is already struggling with an impeachment challenge, economic recession and the Zika epidemic.

>The Lula Institute described the raids and detentions as an “affront to the country and the rule of law” and accused the Lava Jata prosecutors of an “arbitrary, illegal and unjustifiable” act. It denied all accusations of illegality and concealment of assets. Regarding the properties under scrutiny, it said Lula had never stepped foot in the apartment in Guaruja and that his friends owned the place in Atibaia that he visited on occasion.