Brazil's Silva says prosecutors want to end his career
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2016 file photo, Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends the impeachment trial of suspended President Dilma Rousseff in Brasilia, Brazil. Federal investigators charged Lula with money laundering and corruption on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016 in connection with a sprawling corruption investigation at state-run oil giant Petrobras. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File) (The Associated Press)
Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says that prosecutors who described him as the mastermind in a massive corruption scandal are simply trying to keep him from running for president in 2018.
Silva cried and said the accusations were baseless as he held a news conference in a Sao Paulo hotel Thursday.
Federal prosecutors on Wednesday accused Silva of being the top leader of large corruption scandal at state-run oil company Petrobras. However, the charges were much more limited in scope. Silvia, his wife and five others were charged with money laundering and corruption.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Silva says his adversaries want to extirpate his left-leaning Worker's Party. Former President Dilma Rousseff, who replaced Silva, was removed from office by the Senate.