Thousands of anti-corruption protesters rally in Brazil in support of justice minister Sergio Moro in wake of ‘car wash’ probe
- Moro has faced calls for his resignation over leaked chats showing he worked with prosecutors to keep a popular leftist out of the 2018 presidential race
Thousands protested in Brazil on Sunday in support of Justice Minister Sergio Moro, who is battling claims he conspired with prosecutors on his anti-corruption drive to keep former leader Luis Inacio Lula da Silva from another presidential run.
Moro, who was a powerful judge before joining President Jair Bolsonaro’s cabinet in January, has faced calls for his resignation over leaked chats purportedly showing he worked with prosecutors in the so-called Car Wash probe to keep Lula, a popular leftist, out of the 2018 presidential race.
Demonstrators dressed in Brazil’s national colours of yellow and green took to the streets in 75 cities, news website G1 reported, including the capital Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, to show their support for Moro, who is considered a hero by many Brazilians fed up with corrupt leaders.
The protesters also demanded Congress approve the government’s ambitious overhaul of the bloated retirement system. Bolsonaro has warned it will bankrupt the country if changes are not adopted.
Turnout, though, appeared to be lower than in recent protests for and against Bolsonaro’s administration.
