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Brazil's president charges magazine with 'electoral terrorism'

Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff ran a campaign ad Friday, two days before the runoff election, accusing the popular Veja magazine of "electoral terrorism" for its reporting on the embezzlement scandal involving Petroleo Brasileiro SA, also known as Petrobras.

By JC Finley
Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff, seen here addressing the U.N. General Debate at the 68th United Nations General Assembly in 2013, accused Veja magazine Friday of "electoral terrorism" for reporting she was aware of embezzlement at Petroleo Brasileiro SA.
 UPI/John Angelillo
Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff, seen here addressing the U.N. General Debate at the 68th United Nations General Assembly in 2013, accused Veja magazine Friday of "electoral terrorism" for reporting she was aware of embezzlement at Petroleo Brasileiro SA. UPI/John Angelillo | License Photo

SAO PAULO, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Days before Brazil's presidential runoff, incumbent Dilma Rousseff is attempting to combat negative press regarding her alleged awareness of a financial scandal at the government-controlled Petroleo Brasileiro SA, also known as Petrobras.

The popular Veja magazine reported Thursday that Rousseff and her predecessor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, were aware that Petrobras was embezzling public funds and funneling money to politicians in the Workers Party.

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Rousseff ran a campaign ad Friday to fight what she termed "electoral terrorism" by the magazine.

"Veja committed this atrocity against me and against president Lula without presenting the smallest amount of proof... It is more than clear the spiteful intention of Veja to interfere in a dishonest and unfair way in the election results."

Less than a week earlier, Rousseff held a press conference confirming local reports that embezzlement involving public funds had occurred at the oil company, and promised to "do all I can to reimburse the country."

Rousseff's presidential challenger, center-right Social Democracy Party candidate Aecio Neves, has accused the incumbent of turning a blind eye to corruption.

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The runoff will be held Sunday with some polls showing Rousseff ahead.

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