Brazil Senate police agents arrested for of obstruction

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Federal police put items seized from the Federal Senate Legislative Police headquarters into a vehicle as part of an investigation into the Car Wash operation in Brasilia, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 21, 2016. Police say they have arrested four legislative police agents posted in the Senate for allegedly obstructing an investigation into the suspected involvement of lawmakers in the corruption-kickback scheme at state owned oil company Petrobras. Among those arrested was the head of the Senate police, Pedro Carvalho, according to authorities. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

SAO PAULO – Authorities say they have arrested four legislative police agents posted inside Brazil’s Senate for allegedly obstructing an investigation into lawmakers’ suspected involvement in the corruption-kickback scheme at state-owned oil company Petrobras.

Federal police say in a statement that those arrested Friday include Pedro Carvalho, head of the Senate police, which is a distinct agency.

It said federal police suspect Carvalho of using “intimidating tactics” to stop its officers from investigating senators implicated in the Petrobras scheme.

The statement did not name the senators but Brazilian media identifies them as Fernando Collor de Mello, Edison Lobao, Gleisi Hoffman and former senator Jose Sarney. Collor de Mello and Sarney are also former Brazilian presidents.

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