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Brazil Mensalao trial: ex-Lula aide Dirceu sentenced | |
(about 20 hours later) | |
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. | 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, 66, was found guilty of setting up an illegal scheme that used public funds to pay coalition parties for political support. | Jose Dirceu, 66, was found guilty of setting up an illegal scheme that used public funds to pay coalition parties for political support. |
Dirceu had acted as 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. |
The Supreme Court also ordered Dirceu to pay a fine of 676,000 reais ($330,000; £210,000). | The Supreme Court also ordered Dirceu to pay a fine of 676,000 reais ($330,000; £210,000). |
The former aide maintained that the scheme never existed, and accused 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. |
In a statement posted on his blog, Dirceu said he did not accept the Supreme Court's "unfair sentence". | In a statement posted on his blog, Dirceu said he did not accept the Supreme Court's "unfair sentence". |
He made reference to his days as a left-wing rebel in the 1960s and 70s and vowed to fight the conviction. | He made reference to his days as a left-wing rebel in the 1960s and 70s and vowed to fight the conviction. |
"During the military dictatorship I put my life on the line, I was arrested and jailed. I was banned from the country, but did not give up and came back to fight for democracy in Brazil." | "During the military dictatorship I put my life on the line, I was arrested and jailed. I was banned from the country, but did not give up and came back to fight for democracy in Brazil." |
'Criminal enterprise' | 'Criminal enterprise' |
The presiding judge, Justice Joaquim Barbosa, ruled that Dirceu had played a crucial role in the corruption scheme. | The presiding judge, Justice Joaquim Barbosa, ruled that Dirceu had played a crucial role in the corruption 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. | "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. |
Dirceu was among several senior members of the governing Workers Party convicted last month of involvement in the scheme. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Twenty-five of the 37 people charged were found guilty by the court. |