Former Brazilian President appears in court on corruption charges

Former Brazilian President Inacio Lula da Silva will appear in court on charges of corruption and money laundering related to the corruption scandal at Brazil's national oil company Petrobras, a court source said.

According to prosecutors, Mr. Inacio Lula da Silva received bribes of 3.7 million reais, equivalent to more than 1.1 million USD from this corporation. In addition to corruption charges, the former President of Brazil is also facing charges of obstruction of justice, when he intentionally prevented Mr. Nestor Cervero, former Director of International Affairs of the national oil corporation Petrobras, from handing over evidence and reporting what happened inside the corruption network of this corporation.

Former Brazilian President Lula da Silva. (Photo: Reuters)

However, up to now, Mr. Inacio Lula da Silva still denies these accusations, saying that the accusations against him are politically motivated.

Former President Inacio Lula da Silva served as President of Brazil from 2003 to 2011. He is a popular leader in Brazil and is considered a strong candidate for the 2018 Brazilian presidential election.

The Petrobras scandal, which broke in March 2014, has shaken Brazilian politics. More than 100 people have been formally charged with corruption, money laundering and gang activity, including dozens of executives from Brazil’s leading construction and engineering companies. About 50 politicians, including many lawmakers and state governors, are under investigation.

According to police, this network used about 4 billion USD to bribe a series of politicians and Petrobras leaders. The Petrobras scandal, along with the recession of the Brazilian economy, has led to the current political crisis in this country.

According to VOV