Brazilian prosecutors have charged ex-President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva with being the “maximum commander” of a vast corruption scheme at the state oil company, Petrobras, in a major blow to the leftist hero’s hopes of a political comeback. This marks the first time Lula, still Brazil’s most popular politician despite corruption accusations against him and his Workers’ party, has been charged by federal prosecutors for his involvement in the massive graft scheme at the oil company. It has spread like cancer' Read moreDeltan Dallagnol, a public prosecutor, told a news conference that the Petrobras scheme had caused an estimated 42bn real ($12.6 billion) in losses. Former Brazil president Lula poised for corruption trial, associates fear Read moreThe scandal helped topple the Workers’ party from power last month by crushing the popularity of Lula’s chosen successor, Dilma Rousseff. “That means the Workers’ party, which may have thought it would move comfortably into the opposition after Dilma’s impeachment, will confront extreme challenges,” Troyjo said.

Source: The Guardian September 14, 2016 20:05 UTC