Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva greets supporters during a visit to the metallurgic syndicate headquarters in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. An appellate court in Brazil is considering whether to uphold or throw out a corruption conviction against da Silva, a decision that could impact whether the former leader can run for president. The 72-year-old leads preference polls for October’s race.
Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva greets supporters during a visit to the metallurgic syndicate headquarters in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. An appellate court in Brazil is considering whether to uphold or throw out a corruption conviction against da Silva, a decision that could impact whether the former leader can run for president. The 72-year-old leads preference polls for October’s race. Marcelo Chello AP Photo
Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva greets supporters during a visit to the metallurgic syndicate headquarters in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. An appellate court in Brazil is considering whether to uphold or throw out a corruption conviction against da Silva, a decision that could impact whether the former leader can run for president. The 72-year-old leads preference polls for October’s race. Marcelo Chello AP Photo

World

The Latest: First judge rules against da Silva

The Associated Press

January 24, 2018 11:46 AM

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil

The latest on the appeal of a graft conviction against former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (all times local):

2:10 p.m.

An appellate court judge is voting to increase the jail time for a graft conviction against former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Judge Joao Pedro Gebran Neto is the first of three appellate court judges to rule on a case that could impact the presidential elections and even stability in Latin America's largest nation.

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After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defense, Gebran Neto said da Silva's jail time should be 12 years and one month. That is an increase of more than two years over the sentence leveled in July.

If at least two of the three judges assigned to review the case uphold the conviction, da Silva could be barred from running in elections later this year.

Despite myriad legal troubles the 72-year-old leads polls for October's race.

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