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| Brazil's former president Lula charged in money laundering investigation | Brazil's former president Lula charged in money laundering investigation |
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| Sao Paulo state prosecutors have filed charges against former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a money laundering investigation, a spokesman for prosecutors said on Wednesday. | Sao Paulo state prosecutors have filed charges against former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a money laundering investigation, a spokesman for prosecutors said on Wednesday. |
| In an investigation parallel to a two-year-old federal graft probe that detained the former president for questioning on Friday, state prosecutors have said they suspected Lula’s family owned an undeclared beachfront apartment in the city of Guaruja. | In an investigation parallel to a two-year-old federal graft probe that detained the former president for questioning on Friday, state prosecutors have said they suspected Lula’s family owned an undeclared beachfront apartment in the city of Guaruja. |
| The prosecutors’ spokesman declined to specify the charges against the former president. A representative for Lula’s defence attorney declined to comment immediately on the charges. | The prosecutors’ spokesman declined to specify the charges against the former president. A representative for Lula’s defence attorney declined to comment immediately on the charges. |
| Earlier, the minister in charge of legislative affairs, Ricardo Berzoini, said Lula could join Brazil’s government if he wishes, a move that would give him some protection from prosecution. | Earlier, the minister in charge of legislative affairs, Ricardo Berzoini, said Lula could join Brazil’s government if he wishes, a move that would give him some protection from prosecution. |
| Lula was briefly detained for questioning by police on Friday, after investigators said they had evidence he was among the main political beneficiaries of a kickback scheme at state oil company Petroleo Brasileiro, commonly known as Petrobras. | Lula was briefly detained for questioning by police on Friday, after investigators said they had evidence he was among the main political beneficiaries of a kickback scheme at state oil company Petroleo Brasileiro, commonly known as Petrobras. |
| Brazilian media reported on Wednesday that members of the ruling Workers party (PT) were pressuring president Dilma Rousseff to offer Lula a ministerial portfolio in the cabinet that would shield him from possible detention. | Brazilian media reported on Wednesday that members of the ruling Workers party (PT) were pressuring president Dilma Rousseff to offer Lula a ministerial portfolio in the cabinet that would shield him from possible detention. |
| Related: Brazil's anti-corruption prosecutor: graft is 'endemic. It has spread like cancer' | |
| If Lula were appointed to a ministry, he could only be tried in the supreme court, placing him out of the reach of the judge in Curitiba pursuing the investigation into kickbacks at Petrobras. | If Lula were appointed to a ministry, he could only be tried in the supreme court, placing him out of the reach of the judge in Curitiba pursuing the investigation into kickbacks at Petrobras. |
| “The ball is in his court,” Berzoini told Reuters. “The government is good with it. Which government would not want to have Pele on the field,” he said, comparing Lula to the legendary Brazilian football player. | “The ball is in his court,” Berzoini told Reuters. “The government is good with it. Which government would not want to have Pele on the field,” he said, comparing Lula to the legendary Brazilian football player. |
| According to two sources close to the former president, he is reluctant to join the government but pressure from the Workers party is having some effect. | According to two sources close to the former president, he is reluctant to join the government but pressure from the Workers party is having some effect. |
| “The best chance that he has is to accept a ministry and for the trial to go to the supreme court so he receives a fair hearing,” said one source close to the former president. | “The best chance that he has is to accept a ministry and for the trial to go to the supreme court so he receives a fair hearing,” said one source close to the former president. |