BRASÍLIA: A hearing into a massive graft scandal at Brazil's state oil firm Petrobras was interrupted Thursday when a protester unleashed a mischief of mice on proceedings, sparking chaos at Congress.
Several mice were released by an unknown suspect in the middle of the hearing, interrupting a statement by ruling Workers Party treasurer Joao Vaccari Neto.
The small brown rodents created brief chaos among journalists and politicians attending the hearing as they scampered across the floor.
Security removed the person responsible for planting the mice, as onlookers said the hearing was being turned into a "circus." The suspect was not named.
One lawmaker pointed his finger at a colleague and insisted he be reprimanded.
"What happened must not go unpunished," said Jorge Sola, accusing opposition lawmaker Waldir Soares de Oliveira of the Social Democracy Party.
"This must be recorded in the minutes," Sola added.
De Oliveira denied any involvement.
Security officers removed the offending creatures and the proceedings resumed.
Vaccari is one of 27 people facing trial on corruption and money laundering charges relating to the graft scandal which broke 13 months ago.
He is accused of receiving millions in bribes as part of a multibillion dollar kickback scheme embroiling some of Brazil's top politicians.
Vaccari is one of the biggest names yet to fall under suspicion in a snowballing scandal that has rocked Brazil's government. He allegedly received donations worth $1.2 million.
The scandal has wiped tens of billions of dollars off Petrobras' market value and forced it to delay publishing externally audited accounts from last year.
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