Halister News

(Bloomberg) -- A federal judge has indicted former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his son Luis Claudio Lula da Silva on charges of influence-trafficking, money-laundering and conspiracy, local newspaper G1 reported on Saturday.

• Charges relate to irregularities in the purchase of 36 Gripen jet fighters by the Brazilian govt, according to a statement by the Federal Public Prosecutors’ Office
• Case forms part of Operation Zelotes, an investigation into alleged manipulation at Brazil’s board of tax appeals
• Two other business executives have also been indicted on the same charges
• In an e-mailed statement to Bloomberg News, the Instituto Lula said that the ex-president “had nothing to do” with the choice and purchase of the planes
• Luis Claudio offered his services to the consultancy that negotiated the contract, receiving the agreed compensation and with due payment of taxes, the statement added
• The defense will show that Lula and his son “did not carry out any illicit act,” the statement said
• NOTE: Lula now faces prosecution in four separate criminal trials
• NOTE: A fifth set of charges was filed against him by public prosecutors on Thursday