Dilma Rousseff Visits Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after Questioning

Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff has visited ex-leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a day after he was questioned over corruption allegations at the state oil company, Petrobras.

Dilma Rousseff appeared with Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the balcony of his apartment and waved to hundreds of people who had gathered below.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said his brief arrest on March 4 is part of a campaign to sully his image and that of Dilma Rousseff.

Police are looking into payments and donations made to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s institute.

Some of Brazil’s wealthiest people as well as dozens of politicians from both the governing coalition and the opposition are also being investigated for involvement in the alleged Petrobras corruption scheme.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a left-wing icon, left office in 2011. His Workers’ Party has been hit hard by the long-running scandal.

After his interrogation on March 4, he told reporters he was the victim of a “prejudice as a working-class man”.

Dilma Rousseff turned up at his home on March 5, along with hundreds of people showing support for the former president.

Today’s rally was peaceful in contrast to angry scenes on March 4 when protesters clashed with police outside the building.

“She is going to meet with Lula as a gesture of solidarity and support,” a press officer at the presidential palace told the Associated Press news agency.

Dilma Rousseff later could be seen on the balcony with Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife Marisa.

The Workers’ Party has held the Brazilian presidency since 2003, both under Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff.

In the latest operations, police enforced 33 search and 11 detention warrants in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Bahia, officials said.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 70, is suspected of receiving about 30 million reais ($8 million) in speaking fees and donations to his charity.

The former president’s home was among the premises targeted, as was the headquarters of the institute in Sao Paulo.