Brazilian judge releases 11 people linked to Petrobras scandal pending trial

A federal judge has released 11 of the 24 people arrested in the corruption scandal engulfing Brazil's state-owned oil company Petrobras pending the trial in the case.

Federal court press officer Christianne Machiavelli says Judge Sergio Moro on Tuesday evening ordered the release of those people he doesn't think they will jeopardize the investigation.

The 11 include construction company executives who allegedly bribed Petrobras officials to win bids from the oil producer.

The other 13 people arrested last week were not allowed to leave prison because they were deemed to be capable of jeopardizing the investigation, Machiavelli said without providing details.