Brazil's ex-president Lula to stand corruption trial

Rio de Janeiro: Brazil`s former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will stand trial on corruption and money laundering charges over an alleged scheme at the state oil company, Petrobras.

Judge Sergio Moro, who is overseeing Operation Car Wash, the investigation into corruption allegations at Petrobras, said there was sufficient evidence of Lula`s responsibility.

Judge Sergio Moro, who has overseen the Lava Jato (Car Wash) investigation into bribery and kickbacks at Petrobras and other major corporations must now assess allegations that Lula accepted 3.7 m reais (USD 1.1m) in bribes, reports the Guardian.

Lula, who has denied the accusations, has claimed that it is an attempt to prevent him from running in the next presidential elections in 2018.

The trial will take place in the city of Curitiba and comes amid a period of intense political and economic turmoil, which has been exacerbated by the two-year Lava Jato investigation.

Lula had already been charged in August with allegedly obstructing investigations.