Brazil ex-leader’s conviction upheld
Da Silva has been trying to get on October ballot
PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil — A Brazilian appellate court delivered a big blow to former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday, unanimously upholding his graft conviction and even adding years to his prison sentence in a ruling that could keep him out of the October presidential election for which he has been leading in the polls.
The decision was the latest legal setback for da Silva, who was wildly popular as president in 2003-10 but has since been dogged by corruption allegations amid a mushrooming corruption scandal that has taken down top politicians and business executives in Latin America’s largest nation.
While da Silva has several avenues to stillgetontheoctober ballot — and his lawyers have said they will appeal any setback — the ruling further complicates a political comeback. Many argue that sidelining him could anger millions of his supporters and shake the country’s political stability.
A three-judge panel spent the morning hearing arguments from both sides over da Silva’s conviction on corruption and money laundering charges, alleging that he was promised an apartment as a payoff from a construction company in return for contracts.
Judge Joao Pedro Gebran Neto wasthefirsttovote.hewentbeyond the original conviction, saying that jail time should be 12 years and onemonth,anincreaseofmore than two years from the sentence levied in July.
Theothertwojudgesagreedon all counts.
While da Silva faces corruption charges in six more cases, the 72-year-old has been leading preference polls for October’s race.
His Workers’ Party declared it wouldproceedwithitsplanto register da Silva as its presidential candidate in August.
“We will fight in defense of democracy in all forums, in the judiciary and mainly on the streets,” party chairwoman Gleisi Hoffmann said in a statement. “If some think the story ends with today’s decision, they are very wrong because we do not surrender before injustice.”