Brazil's AG formally accuses President of graft

Rio De Janeiro, June 27 (IANS/WAM) Brazils Attorney General has formally accused President Michel Temer of corruption, making him the first sitting President in Latin Americas largest nation to face criminal charges.

Attorney General Rodrigo Janot charged the President on Monday with accepting bribes, the first of a series of formal graft charges against the leader in the coming weeks.

Janot's accusation is the latest salvo in an intensifying showdown between Temer and justice officials, who are building a corruption case that reaches to the highest levels.

The case now goes to the lower Chamber of Deputies in Congress, which must decide whether it has merit.

If two-thirds of the legislature decides that it does, then the President will be suspended for up to 180 days while a trial is conducted.

House Speaker Rodrigo Maia, an ally of Temer, would be President in the interim.

--IANS/WAM

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