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Lula trial in appeal court may take a year
The Brazilian former president's lawyers will file an appeal with the
Published on 15/07/2017 - 10:57 By Daniel Isaia, correspondent from Agência Brasil - Porto Alegre
If convicted by the court by August 15 next year, the deadline for candidacies to run in the 2018 elections, Lula may not be able to compete, as the ruling issued by Sergio Moro prevents him from occupying any public position for 19 years.
A year. This is how long the appeal court in charge of proceedings under Operation Car Wash may take to try the case that led to the conviction of former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. This is the average term necessary for judges based in Porto Alegre to settle cases underway as part of the Federal police crackdown.
If convicted by the court by August 15 next year, the deadline for candidacies to run in the 2018 elections, Lula may not be able to compete, as the ruling issued by Sergio Moro prevents him from occupying any public position for 19 years. Lula's supporters have argued the decision aims simply to keep him from running for president in the upcoming general elections.
The counsel of the former president have ten days to file the motion, after which another five days are given for the defense to lodge the appeal with the court for deliberations. Only after that can a date for the trial be fixed.
The judges may choose to acquit Lula, confirm Moro's sentence, or change it.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Lula trial in appeal court may take a year
Edition: Lidia Neves / Olga Bardawil