Brazil ex-President Lula to be tried for corruptionSeptember 21, 2016 - 10:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Brazil's former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will stand trial on corruption and money laundering charges over an alleged scheme at the state oil company, Petrobras, a judge has said, according to BBC News. Prosecutors say he accepted 3.7m reais ($1.11m) in bribes connected to the multi-billion dollar scheme. Lula, 70, had already been charged in August with allegedly obstructing investigations. He denies any wrongdoing and says the accusations are politically motivated. Judge Sergio Moro, who is overseeing Operation Car Wash, the investigation into corruption allegations at Petrobras, said there was "sufficient evidence of [Lula's] responsibility". The money that the ex-president allegedly received was laundered through the purchase and renovation of a beach apartment, prosecutors say. The flat was built by a construction company implicated in the scandal. His wife, Marisa Leticia, and six others have also been indicted. Lula was accused by prosecutors of being the "boss" of the scheme, estimated to have cost the company more than $2bn. Several politicians and Petrobras executives have been arrested and sentenced as a result of the two-year inquiry. Investigators believe overpriced contracts with Petrobras were given in return for bribes. Some of the illicitly-obtained money was used to finance the electoral campaign of top Brazilian politicians, they allege. Lula, who served as president between 2003 and 2011, was one of Brazil's most popular leaders and is seen as a possible candidate for the 2018 presidential elections. However, the popularity of his Workers' Party plummeted this year and his chosen successor Dilma Rousseff was impeached last month. A criminal conviction would bar him from running in 2018. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |