Rousseff confirms Prosecutor-General's reappointment

President Dilma Rousseff confirmed Saturday (Aug. 8) the appointment of current Prosecutor-General Rodrigo Janot for a new two-year term as head of Federal Prosecution Office (MPF in the original acronym).

After meeting with Rousseff and Janot at the Palácio da Alvorada, seat of the Executive branch, Justice Minister José Eduardo Cardozo pointed out that the president's choice reflects her respect for MPF's autonomy. On Wednesday (5), Rodrigo Janot figured at the top of the list of three recommendations made by the National Association of Federal Prosecutors for the post.

As a response to the criticism from some of those under investigation on Janot's work in Operation Car Wash—a probe into corruption cases at the state-controlled oil giant Petrobras—Cardozo once again argued for MPF's autonomy, stressing that the Constitution grants federal prosecutors freedom of investigation.

“Of course we must never convict anyone without ensuring their right to defense. But Brazil's institutions should work efficiently and autonomouly, [as] guaranteed by the Federal Constitution,” the minister said.

After the president's nomination, Janot's name will be submitted to the Senate and the Commission for Constitution, Justice and Citizenship for consideration.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira

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