Brazil court ousts foe of embattled president

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil’s top court voted unanimously Thursday to suspend the scandal-tainted and controversial leader of the lower house of Congress from his duties.

Chamber of Deputies Speaker Eduardo Cunha, one of the most powerful politicians in Brazil, is accused of corruption and obstruction of justice.

A nemesis of President Dilma Rousseff, Cunha began the impeachment case that now has the Senate considering whether to put her on trial. Justice Teori Zavascki stripped Cunha of his duties early in the day, then the 10 other justices voted to back that move.

Cunha said in a statement that he won’t resign. He is expected to give a news conference later, but has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in all the cases against him.

The court’s decision was based on a request made in December by chief prosecutor Rodrigo Janot.

Janot, who called Cunha “a criminal” in his accusation, alleges the speaker used his position to obstruct investigations against him involving corruption at state-run oil giant Petrobras and at the lower house’s ethics committee.

Justice Luis Roberto Barroso said the decision to interfere in another branch of government was harsh, but needed. “I don’t want to live in a different country. I want to live in a different Brazil,” he said while casting his vote.

Outside the Supreme Court, fireworks erupted as the majority vote needed to suspend Cunha was reached. Zavascki said that because the speaker is under investigation, he is unfit to be in line for the presidency should Rousseff be impeached.

If the Senate accepts charges against the embattled leader next week, Vice President Michel Temer, an ally of Cunha’s, is set to take over. The speaker is next in line, but the Supreme Court’s ruling would prevent Cunha from filling in if needed.