25 defendants convicted in Brazil's biggest corruption case

Brazil's Supreme Court has concluded the biggest political corruption trial in the country's history. Twenty-five defendants, including top politicians from the ruling Workers' Party, were convicted of using public funds to bribe party alliances to win support.

Brazil has just concluded the trial of the biggest political corruption case in the country's history. Illustrative photo

Of the 37 defendants, the court found 25 guilty, sentenced to a total of 279 years in prison, along with a fine of nearly 20 million reals (about 10 million USD).

Three lawmakers involved in the scandal were removed from office; Jose Dirceu, former Chief of Staff to the Presidential Palace and once considered the “right-hand man” of former President Luiz Lula da Silva, was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in prison.

Mr Dirceu is considered the leader in organizing a network of bribes to lawmakers to support the government during Mr Lula's first term (2003-2007) as well as illegally financing the election campaign that allowed the leader to win the election.

Former Workers' Party president Jose Genoino is also on the list of convicted.

The scandal that broke out in 2005 rocked the government of former President Lula, but he was re-elected a year later. Lula left office at the end of 2010 with a very high approval rating and remains a prominent figure in Brazilian politics.

According to Laodong-M