Palocci's laywer: Arrest occurred in "military dictatorship style"
José Roberto Batochio, lawyer of former Finance Minister Antonio Palocci, temporarily detained today (Sep. 26) in the 35th stage of Operation Car Wash, criticized his client's arrest, saying that the whole operation remained in secret, in military dictatorship style. "We're returning to authoritarian days, to arbitrariness. No need to arrest a person who has fixed address, who was minister twice, who can give all the information when called to testify. Is it just for the show?," he said.
Batochio said that he was outraged at the name given to the operation, Omertà, which is a code of honor that places importance of silence and is used by the Italian mafia. "It's just because he has an Italian name, as I also do, it's absolutely biased towards descendants of Italians. This name is dangerous," he said.
According to the allegations, Palocci was linked to directors of Odebrecht construction company, one of Brazil's biggest companies. The operation probes into the former minister and other people allegedly involved in a scheme to benefit the company with contracts negotiated with the government.
Information from the Federal Police say that the negotiations involved the provisional presidential decree n. 460, dated 2009, that provided for premium credit on Taxes on Consumption of Goods and Services, in addition to increased Odebrecht's line of credit with the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) to an African country, as well as intervention in Petrobras bidding contracts for the acquisition of 21 drillships for pre-salt oil exploration.
His lawyer denied the charges. "This is something absolutely vague, empty. For those who want an excuse, it's an excuse, but the fact is, the finance minister needs to have a dialogue with the business sector, with Brazil's chain of production, in order to establish public policies. If a minister talks to someone from the private sector, is he already suspected of committing a crime?" asked Batochio.
Antonio Palocci was arrested at home, in the region of Jardins, west zone of São Paulo capital. Searches were also made in his office.
Translated by Amarílis Anchieta
Fonte: Palocci's laywer: Arrest occurred in "military dictatorship style"
