Brazil's Supreme Court authorizes criminal probe into environment minister

FILE PHOTO: Brazil's Environment Minister Ricardo Salles speaks during a news conference after a virtual global climate summit in Brasilia, Brazil, April 22, 2021. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

BRASILIA (Reuters) -A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has authorized a criminal investigation into allegations that Environment Minister Ricardo Salles obstructed a police probe into illegal logging, according to a document seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

The decision by Judge Carmen Lucia came in response to a request by Brazil's top prosecutor, known as the PGR. It comes as President Jair Bolsonaro's government is also facing criticism over high COVID-19 death and case numbers.