Brazil Judge denies request to delay ex-president's hearing

FILE - In this March 13, 2017 photo, Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends an event with rural workers, in Brasilia, Brazil. A Brazilian federal judge on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, refused a request by lawyers representing the former president to delay his hearing on the benefits he allegedly received from the huge kickback scheme uncovered at state-owned oil company Petrobras. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File) (The Associated Press)

SAO PAULO – A Brazilian federal judge has refused a request by lawyers representing former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to delay his hearing on the benefits he allegedly received from the huge kickback scheme uncovered at state-owned oil company Petrobras.

Silva's lawyers argued that they needed more time to analyze evidence and documents before his scheduled testimony Wednesday before Judge Sergio Moro, who is coordinating the corruption probe.

Another federal judge, Nivaldo Brunoni, ruled Tuesday that the date could not be changed because of security measures already put in place to avoid tumult in the city of Curitiba.

Curitiba officials said last week that supporters and opponents of Silva will be kept apart when he testifies.