Brazilian judge annuls all sentences against Lula da Silva in Lava Jato case

Brasilia, March 8 (RHC)-- The judge of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court, Edson Fachin, annulled this Monday all sentences against the nation's former president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, for the Lava Jato case, allowing him to participate in the presidential elections in 2022.

Justice Fachin pointed out in the official statement that "the nullity only of acts of decision made in the respective criminal actions, including the receipt of charges, and the competent court must decide on the possibility of validating the acts of instruction."

Fachin also reiterated that the 13th Federal Court of the Judicial Subsection of Curitiba, which prosecuted the former Brazilian president, was not competent to issue a sentence, "the actions could not have taken place in Curitiba, because the facts pointed out are not directly related to the Petrobras embezzlement scheme," stated the judge.

"With the recent decisions issued in the scope of the Federal Supreme Court, there is no way to argue that only the case of the now patient should have the jurisdiction granted by the 13th Federal Court of Curitiba.  In the context of political macro-corruption, as important as being impartial is not to be partisan," asserted Fachin.

The processes will be analyzed by the Federal District Federal Court, which will be in charge of ruling whether or not the acts carried out in the three processes can be validated.  Former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva could run again in the presidential elections on behalf of the Workers' Party (PT) to be held next year, in 2022.

The precautionary measure taken by Judge Fachin is in response to a habeas corpus filed by Lula da Silva's defense team.