Justice suspends president of Brazil's Senate from duties

FILE - In this May 11, 2016 file photo, Senate leader Renan Calheiros attends a voting session of the impeachment process against Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff, in Brasilia, Brazil. A Brazilian Supreme Court justice on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, suspended Calheiros from his duties as the body's leader because the high court has ordered him to stand trial on corruption charges. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File) (The Associated Press)

Brazil's Senate President Renan Calheiros speaks during a Senate session in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. Brazilian prosecutors are threatening to quit their investigation into a corruption-kickback scheme at state oil company Petrobras if legislation that would allow judges and prosecutors to be charged with abuse of authority is signed by President Michel Temer. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) (The Associated Press)

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice has suspended the president of the Senate from his duties as the body's leader because the high court has ordered him to stand trial on corruption charges.

Sen. Renan Calheiros still keeps his Senate seat and can appeal the order by justice Marco Aurelio Mello. The justice ruled Monday that since Calheiros has not stood trial yet, he cannot remain Senate president and be in line for the presidency.

Last week, the Supreme Court voted that Calheiros would stand trial on charges he received bribes from a construction company.

Calheiros is an ally of President Michel Temer and his term as Senate president was to end in February. The next Senate leader is to be Sen. Jorge Viana, an ally of impeached President Dilma Rousseff.

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