A demonstrator holds banners as she takes part in a protest against Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff's appointment of Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as her chief of staff, at Paulista avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil, March 17, 2016. The placards show images of Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (L) "Minister of Papuda" (the name of a prison complex) and Federal Judge Sergio Moro "Car Wash thank you very much". [Photo/Agencies]

"UNDERGROUND WAR"

As Rousseff swore Lula into office, she strongly criticized the release on Wednesday of a taped telephone conversation between them that was made public by Sergio Moro, the crusading federal judge overseeing the Petrobras investigation.

Moro, the public face of the biggest graft probe in Brazilian history, said the tape showed they had discussed influencing prosecutors and courts to protect Lula, who leaves Moro's jurisdiction.

"Convulsing Brazilian society with lies, with reprehensible practices violates constitutional rights and as well as the rights of citizens," said Rousseff, who called the recording illegal and anti-democratic.

Judiciary association and prosecutors working with Moro sprang to his defense, repudiating what they called efforts to intimidate him and his team of investigators.