The Supreme Federal Court (STF), the highest court in Brazil, confirmed the sentence of eight years and 10 months in prison for corruption against former president Fernando Collor de Mello. The court found Collor guilty of bribery linked to contracts with the state oil company Petrobras. The decision was made by a vote of six to four during the process known as Operation Lava Jato, which investigated crimes related to contracts at Petrobras.
Collor's defense argued that there were deficiencies in the process that should have led to its annulment; however, the court dismissed these allegations of irregularities. It was reported that there are still pending appeals before the same court before the prison sentence for passive corruption and money laundering can be executed, according to reports from GloboNews.
The upheld conviction indicates that during his term as leader of the Brazilian Labor Party (PTB) from 2010 to 2014, Collor made political appointments at BR Distribuidora, a former subsidiary of Petrobras, in exchange for receiving bribes amounting to about four million dollars in contracts with the company. Two former advisors to Collor were also convicted but will be able to substitute their sentences by performing community service.
Fernando Collor de Mello was the first president of Brazil to be directly elected in 1989 after the end of the military dictatorship. He resigned in 1992 amid an impeachment trial for corruption. Currently, at 75 years old, Collor has been a national senator since 2007, and his term is expected to last until 2023.
