Lula

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is the current President of Brazil. Throughout his career, he has faced numerous corruption and money laundering allegations, primarily centered on Operation Car Wash. In 2017, Lula was convicted in the first instance for passive corruption and money laundering regarding a triplex apartment in Guarujá and sentenced to nine years and six months, later increased to 12 years and one month by an appellate court. He was imprisoned for 580 days starting in 2018. However, in 2021, the Supreme Federal Court annulled these convictions, ruling that the trial court lacked jurisdiction and that the presiding judge, Sergio Moro, was biased. Consequently, the case was dismissed. Lula also faced charges in Operation Zelotes regarding alleged bribery involving automotive tax benefits, but he was acquitted in 2021. Other allegations, such as those related to an Atibaia ranch, were similarly dismissed following the Supreme Court's annulment rulings. Throughout these proceedings, Lula maintained his innocence, characterizing the investigations as politically motivated persecution.