Rio de Janeiro: Brazil's President has renewed his attacks on American journalist Glenn Greenwald, raising the possibility of jail a few days after members of his party said the Rio-based internet publication The Intercept was "aligned with criminal hackers" for reporting the contents of leaked phone messages involving the current justice minister.

The Intercept's June expose has led to questions about whether Justice Minister Sergio Moro improperly consulted with prosecutors when he was a judge overseeing the mammoth "Operation Car Wash" corruption investigation. Moro, whose work in that probe has made him a hero for many Brazilians, is a key member of President Jair Bolsonaro's Cabinet.

Former Brazilian judge Sergio Moro, now justice minister, is accused of guiding prosecutors for political advantage. Credit:AP

The leaked messages appeared to show the then judge guiding prosecutors in their case against former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Lula was leading Bolsonaro in the presidential election polls when he was jailed last year on corruption charges. Lula, who was president from 2003 to 2010, was convicted and is serving a 12-year sentence; he has said he is innocent.