Former Brazilian President's home searched by police

(Baonghean.vn) - Police have searched the home of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and detained him for questioning, according to Brazilian media. The searches are part of an ongoing investigation into corruption at oil giant Petrobras.

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Photo: Reuters.

Brazilian news network O Globo on March 4 posted images of police officers around a building believed to be Mr. Silva's private residence in Sao Bernardo de Campo, a suburb of Sao Paulo.

Television footage also showed supporters of the former president in red T-shirts fighting with people who did not like him in the street outside his home in Sao Paulo state. Police were forced to use batons to push back the protesters.

Police officers told reporters that a major operation was underway, carrying out 33 search warrants and 11 arrest warrants, but did not reveal who the suspects were.

The investigation, known as Operation Car Wash, uncovered multiple embezzlement and bribery schemes involving Brazil's state-owned oil giant Petrobras.

Mr Silva's spokesman, Jose Crispiniano, confirmed the police presence at properties owned by the former president, including his home in Sao Bernardo do Campo and the non-profit organisation Instituto Lula.

Silva was one of the most popular leaders in Brazilian history when he left office in 2010, handing over power to his successor, Dilma Rousseff.

Prosecutors allege that more than $2 billion (1.82 billion euros) was paid in bribes by businessmen to secure lucrative Petrobras contracts. Investigators also say some of the money went to several political parties, including Mr. Silva’s Workers’ Party.

Thu Giang

(According to AP, AFP)