World

Brazil's ex-president charged in money laundering probe

Brazil's ex-president charged in money laundering probe

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva greets supporters who have gathered outside his residence, in Sao Bernardo do Campo, in the greater Sao Paulo area, Brazil, Saturday, March 5, 2016. Photo: AP

SAO PAULO: Prosecutors in Sao Paulo state have filed money laundering charges against former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is accused of hiding his alleged ownership of a seafront penthouse in the city of Guaruja. Silva has denied he owns the apartment, which belongs to constructor OAS. OAS is one of the biggest targets of a separate corruption investigation that focuses on state-run oil giant Petrobras. The charges filed Wednesday against Silva still need to be accepted by a judge. In a statement, Silva said that investigators 'are not unbiased.' He still has not been heard by the state investigators in the case. The decision comes days before an anti-government protest on Sunday, and five days after Silva was held for questioning and his home raided by the police.