Brazil’s Supreme Court rules judge Moro was biased in Lula corruption trial

Brazil’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that former judge Sergio Moro was biased in the way he oversaw former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s corruption trial, providing vindication for the leftist leader who has long claimed political persecution.

The decision further darkens the shadow over the reputation of Moro and the sweeping Car Wash corruption investigation he presided over for years. He sentenced hundreds of business and political leaders previously believed to enjoy impunity, and transformed himself into one of the Brazil’s best-known public figures. Some hailed him as a hero while others accused him of being a zealot.

“In this case what is discussed is something that for me is key: everyone has the right to a fair trial, due legal process, and the impartiality of the judge,” said Justice Carmen Lucia, who cast the tie-breaking vote.

Leaked messages published by The Intercept Brasil in 2019 showed apparent collusion between Moro and Car Wash prosecutors during the process that ultimately jailed da Silva for corruption and money laundering. His conviction on appeal sidelined him from the 2018 presidential elections, pursuant to the rules of Brazil’s Clean Slate law, and allowed fringe lawmaker Jair Bolsonaro to cruise to victory. Moro quickly became Bolsonaro’s justice minister.

Tuesday’s ruling follows a separate decision from Justice Edson Fachin on March 8 to annul da Silva’s two convictions, on the grounds that he was tried in a court without proper jurisdiction, and establishing that he could be retried in federal court in capital Brasilia.

Da Silva’s attorneys, Cristiano Zanin Martins and Valeska Martins, said in a statement that the decision was “historic and reinvigorating.”…..read more

 

Source: France24

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