Crime & Justice

Brazil’s Supreme Court seals ex-president Collor’s corruption convictions

Brasilia, May 25 (EFE).- The Federal Supreme Court of Brazil convicted former president Fernando Collor de Mello on Thursday for passive corruption and money laundering in a trial over bribes he received between 2010 and 2014 when he was a senator.

Sentencing will take place next Wednesday in a vote by the 10 court magistrates, eight of whom considered Collor guilty and two others not guilty.

Before sentencing, the magistrates will have to decide if they will also convict him for the crimes of criminal association and participation in a criminal organization.

Supreme Court judge Edson Fachin, rapporteur of the case, had initially proposed a sentence of 33 years in prison and a fine of 20 million reais ($4 million).

Despite the conviction, the former president may remain free until the court judges any appeals lodged, which could prolong the process for several months.

In addition, although the court determined that Collor, 73, begin serving his sentence in prison, the lawyers may file appeals so that he can serve it at his home due to his age.

The former president, who governed Brazil between 1990 and 1992, was impeached in 1992 on corruption charges. Between 2007 and 2023 he held a seat in the Senate.

The case is an offshoot of the Car Wash probe and accuses Collor of using his influence to benefit his friend and businessman Joao Lyra in fraudulent contracts with a subsidiary of the state-owned Petrobras.

For intermediating in the concession of these contracts, which had a total value of 240 million reais, the former president is suspected to have received a commission of about 15 percent.

Collor’s defense said that he “did not commit any crime, according to Brazilian outlet G1. EFE

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