Corruption Conviction of Lula da Silva Upheld in Brazil

Rio De Janeiro: A Brazilian appeals court on Wednesday upheld the corruption conviction of ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

So far, two of the three judges have voted while the third judge has yet to vote, but it won't change the result, Xinhua news agency reported.

The judges at the appeals court in the city of Porto Alegre said that Lula had broken the law by accepting a seafront apartment from a construction company involved in a major corruption scheme.

According to BBC, the judges increased his original sentence from nine-and-a-half years to 12 years and one month in jail.

While he can still take his appeal to a higher court, the decision could rule Lula out as a candidate for October's presidential election.

Ahead of the ruling, Lula said he would continue fighting "for the dignity of the Brazilian people" until he died.

IANS