Brazil: Rousseff receives notice to attend her trial in Senate

Suspended President Dilma Rousseff received a notice on Friday (Aug. 12) at Alvorada palace, her official residence, to attend her trial at the Senate on August 25, when the impeachment process will be ruled. The notice was sent by Chief Supreme Court Justice Ricardo Lewandowski, who is also in charge of the process.

The document was signed by the Senate's General-Secretary Luiz Fernando Bandeira de Mello Filho, acting as the process clerk. The president received the notice at 16.05, after her counsel, former Justice Minister José Eduardo Cardozo, presented the defense's closing arguments to the Senate.

Cardozo has not confirmed yet whether the suspended president will personally stand in Senate for the final trial. He said he still has to discuss it with Rousseff, but behind the scenes there is a great expectation about her attending the trial to personally speak to the senators.

Next week, the trial proceedings will be defined by Senate's President Renan Calheiros, the Senate's party leaders, and Justice Lewandowski. Until the moment, the only information collected is that the trial shall last at least three days and nine witnesses—three for accusation and six for defense —will be heard.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta