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Former Brazilian President Lula Is Facing Money Laundering Charges

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Brazil's former President Lula da Silva leaves a meeting with senators of the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party in Brasilia
Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva leaves a meeting with senators of the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) in Brasilia, Brazil March 9, 2016.Adriano Machado—Reuters
By Nash Jenkins

Charges are being filed against former Brazilian President Lula da Silva amid a massive corruption investigation in the country, the BBC reports.

Lula and his wife are among sixteen people facing allegations of money laundering as part of a larger inquiry into the state oil company Petrobras. In the former President’s case, the case concerns a waterfront penthouse he purportedly bought at a high-class resort.

Lula vigorously denies that he has ever owned the apartment and says that the charges are part of a plot to politically discredit him. Civilians and political figures alike have also spoken out against the charges against the popular former leader.

[BBC]

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