Rousseff: Lula's arrest warrant not legally founded

President Dilma Rousseff stated Friday (Mar. 11) that the  preventive arrest warrant against former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, issued by São Paulo prosecutors is “an outrageous act of injustice.”

“There's no legal foundation. The government opposes this act against President Lula utterly and completely. This is a moment for dialogue, calm, and peacefulness,” said the president, who was not willing to confirm whether or not she invited Lula to become minister. She went on to note, however, that he would make a great cabinet member in any government.

Prosecutors Cássio Conserino, José Carlos Blat, and Fernando Henrique Moraes de Araújo filed against the former head of state on Wednesday (9) charges of money laundering—in the form of property concealment—identity fraud concerning a beachfront triplex apartment in Guarujá, São Paulo.

Also targeted by preventive arrest orders were Léo Pinheiro, former CEO at construction company OAS; former PT treasurer João Vaccari Neto, taken to jail as part of Operation Car Wash; Ana Maria Érnica, ex-Bancoop Director; and Vagner de Castro, one-time President at Bancoop. Courts are yet to make a decision on the charges. No date has been set for the ruling.

In the charges, prosecutors say “arguments are overwhelming.”

The president further announced she has no plans of resigning. “Do you think I look resigned, or about to resign? I am not resigned towards anything, nor do I have this kind of attitude towards life. I believe this wave of rumors does not help in any way and brings about a political crisis detrimental to the Brazilian economy. We have all we need to start a recovery. At least note that I do not look like one about to resign,” said the president during a press conference.

The Chamber of Deputies granted in December a request for the opening of Rousseff's impeachment proceedings.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira