Former lower house speaker names Temer and Lula as defense witnesses
Former federal deputy and speaker Eduardo Cunha, who is currently jailed as one of the defendants in Operation Car Wash, has named President Michel Temer and former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as his defense witnesses.
Former federal deputy and speaker Eduardo Cunha, who is currently jailed as one of the defendants in Operation Car Wash, has named President Michel Temer and former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as his defense witnesses.
In the preliminary defense document, the defense called for Cunha's acquittal and for the charges against him to be dropped.
Also listed as witnesses were former minister Henrique Alves, rancher José Carlos Bumlai, former Petrobras director Nestor Cerveró, and former senator Delcídio do Amaral, among other names.
A total 22 witnesses have been named. The defense argued that “the number of witnesses is justified by the extensive charges against the defendant.”
Offshore accounts
Cunha has been in custody at a Federal Police building in Curitiba since October 19. According to federal prosecutors, “there is evidence” that the former deputy is the holder of unnamed offshore accounts, which they believe could jeopardize the investigation. Moreover, Cunha holds dual (Brazilian-Italian) nationality, which raises concerns that he could flee the country.
His arrest was ordered as part of a criminal case in which the lawmaker is accused of receiving $1.56 million in illegal money.
The money, which was deposited in unreported accounts in Switzerland, allegedly came from kickbacks in connection with Petrobras's purchase of an oil field in Benin, Africa.
The charges were originally filed with the Supreme Court, but after Cunha was ousted from his seat in Congress and lost his special jurisdiction privileges, they were sent to lower court Judge Sérgio Moro.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Former lower house speaker names Temer and Lula as defense witnesses
