This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20305926

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Brazil Mensalao trial: former Lula aide Dirceu jailed Brazil Mensalao trial: former Lula aide Dirceu jailed
(about 2 hours later)
The Supreme Court in Brazil has sentenced a top aide to former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to 10 years and 10 months in jail. The Supreme Court in Brazil has sentenced a former top aide of ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to 10 years and 10 months in jail.
Jose Dirceu was found guilty of setting up an illegal scheme that used public funds to pay coalition parties for political support.Jose Dirceu was found guilty of setting up an illegal scheme that used public funds to pay coalition parties for political support.
He was President Lula's chief of staff from 2003 to 2005. Dirceu had acted as Lula's chief of staff from 2003 to 2005.
The former president is not implicated in the scandal, which became known as "Mensalao", or Big Monthly Allowance.The former president is not implicated in the scandal, which became known as "Mensalao", or Big Monthly Allowance.
Mr Dirceu was among several senior members of the governing Workers Party convicted last month of involvement in the scheme. The Supreme Court also ordered Dirceu to pay a fine of 676,000 reals ($330,000: £210,000).
He maintains that the scheme never existed and accuses Brazil's conservative media of bias against the left-wing government. The former aide maintained that the scheme never existed, and accused Brazil's conservative media of bias against the left-wing government.
The high-profile convictions were seen by many in Brazil as evidence that politics was no longer immune from punishment. 'Criminal enterprise'
The presiding judge, Justice Joaquim Barbosa, ruled that Mr Dirceu had played a crucial role in the scheme.
"He held one of the highest posts in the Brazilian government. He dishonoured his position and made key decisions for the success of this criminal enterprise," he said.
Correspondents say the lengthy sentence handed down by the court means that Mr Dirceu may have to spend some years in prison, rather than serving his sentence under house arrest.Correspondents say the lengthy sentence handed down by the court means that Mr Dirceu may have to spend some years in prison, rather than serving his sentence under house arrest.
Mr Dirceu was among several senior members of the governing Workers Party convicted last month of involvement in the scheme.
Workers Party president Jose Genoino was sentenced to six years and 11 months imprisonment for the same crimes and will also to pay a heavy fine.
The high-profile convictions have been seen by many in Brazil as evidence that politics is no longer immune from punishment.
Twenty-five of the 37 people charged were found guilty by the court.