RIO DE JANEIRO, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's President Michel Temer on Tuesday made an official statement to defend himself against the accusations of corruption that had formally presented by the Chief Prosecution Office.
A year in office amid the impeachment of his predecessor, President Temer has now become the first Brazilian president in history to be formally charged with criminal accusations.
It was Temer's first statement since the charges were officially presented on Monday. The president called the accusations as fragile and a work of fiction, saying that he has been a victim of "infamy." He accused Chief Prosecutor Rodrigo Janot of attempts to "paralyze the country."
Temer was caught on tape in a compromising conversation with Joesley Batista, head of meatpacking giant JBS. Batista recorded the conversation, which took place at Temer's official residence, and presented the evidence to the Federal Police.
By recording the president and other politicians, Batista managed to wrangle a leniency deal, which left him free, by paying a considerably low fine, given his company's profits.
Temer called Batista a criminal, saying that the evidence Batista presented was illicitly obtained. When the tape first came up, the president said the recording was adulterated. But forensic analysis carried out by the Federal Police confirmed its authenticity.
According to Temer, the charges are of a political nature.
"Now that we are putting the country back on track, we are victims of this infamy of a political nature," he said. "I was denounced for bribe-taking, without ever having received anything. I never saw any money and I did not participate in any dealings to commit crimes. Where is the concrete proof of my bribe-taking? It does not exist."
"This is a plot worthy of a soap opera. I say these charges are a work of fiction," he added.
Both the Federal Police and the Prosecution Office stated that the evidence against President Temer was "abundant," but Temer insisted that the charges were unfounded and denied any wrongdoing.
"I am proud of being president. It is an extraordinary thing. It is something (that) touches for me. I do not know how God put me here," he said.
