Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was acquitted by federal court on passive corruption charges due to lack of evidence.
According to RT news channel, Lulu was accused in 2017 of providing political support to automobile companies in exchange for donating of 6 million reals ($ 1.2 million) to the campaign of his Workers’ Party.
According to the prosecutor’s office, ex-president Lulu had extended tax benefits to auto companies for five years in exchange for bribes in 2017.
Federal judge Frederico Viana ruled on Monday that the case against the former president lacks elements that can substantiate any conviction against him and the other defendants.
The judge said it was “prudent to pronounce an acquittal” to the ex-president, his former chief of staff, Gilberto Carvalho, and five other officials and businessmen.
During his testimony last year, Lula denied all charges.
In March, the court dropped all corruption and money laundering charges against former president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva. He was previously sentenced to 17 years in prison.
This court decision gave Lula the right to run for president again in 2022. He hasn’t yet announced plans to join the presidential race, but recent polls have shown that he is 41% ahead of Brazil’s current leader, Jair Bolsonaro, in popularity.
