An appeals court in Brazil has unanimously upheld a corruption conviction imposed last July on ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. While he can still take his appeal to a higher court, the decision could rule Lula out as a candidate for October's presidential election. The ex-leader, who governed from 2003 to 2011, had been favourite to win. Speaking at a rally in Sao Paulo after the ruling, Lula said he would still contest the presidency.
"I know I haven't committed any crime," he told thousands of his supporters. On Wednesday, all three judges at the appeals court in the city of Porto Alegre said Lula had broken the law by accepting special favours over a seafront apartment from a construction company involved in a major corruption scheme. They increased his original sentence from nine-and-a-half years to 12 years and one month in jail. Even though the 72-year-old was sentenced in July 2017 and that conviction has now been upheld, he could remain out of prison for many months if he takes his appeal all the way to the Supreme Court. Grey line 2 pixels Presidential hopes fade: Katy Watson in Porto Alegre Lula supporters weren't contemplating any other scenario than him winning the appeal. They want him as their candidate in October's elections and they say this conviction is designed to stop him running. But his critics will be pleased. They want him locked up in jail for the crimes he's been accused of. They believe he and his Workers' Party are corrupt and justice needs to be done.
Lula and his lawyers say they will explore all avenues to get him absolved. But the fact that it was a unanimous vote will make it harder to convince other courts. As for whether he will run for presidency, he has said he will keep campaigning, no matter the verdict. The appeals process could buy him time to stay in the race for a few months but with a criminal conviction, another Lula term is looking much less likely.
source:www.bbc.co.uk
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