RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's Federal Court accepted on Tuesday a denouncement against former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and one of his former Minister for bribe-taking in exchange for extending incentives of automobile industry.
The denouncement was presented by the Federal Prosecution Office. With the decision, Lula and his former cabinet minister Gilberto Carvalho officially become defendants in the new corruption charge.
According to the prosecutors, Lula, Carvalho and other five are accused of favoring vehicle manufacturers through presidential decrees.
The prosecution office states that manufacturers Mitsubishi and Caoa promised bribes of 6 million reals (1.9 million U.S. dollars) to Lula and Carvalho in exchange for benefits of the automobile industry.
Lula denied all the accusations. "Former President Lula's innocence will be acknowledged in this case as well, because he did not participate in any illicit acts. The Prosecution's charges are immaterial," said his lawyer, Cristiano Zanin.
The former president stands accused in at least five cases of corruption and was found guilty in keeping a fancy apartment bought with bribe money off the books. Lula denied the ownership of the apartment. His lawyers appealed to a superior court.
Lula intends to run for presidency again next year. His legal situation may block his way as planned.
