Sergio Moro, the man who convicted and sentenced Lula da Silva announces his support for Bolsonaro

“Lula da Silva is not an option for voters since the corruption of democracy characterizes his government. Against the power project of the PT party, I declare, in the second round, my support for Bolsonaro,” Moro wrote on the social network Twitter.

The elected parliamentarian became known for his performance as a chief judge in the anti-corruption operation Lava Jato (operation car wash), which investigated crimes related to Lula da Silva, Petrobras, Odebreccht, and others and arrested business people, politicians, and officials.

At the time, he was revered as the country’s hero for cleaning up the rampant corruption of the left.

While serving as a judge, Moro convicted Lula da Silva and issued an arrest warrant against the former president in a legal dispute over the ownership of a luxury apartment, which the Federal Supreme Court eventually overturned (STF), which deemed the former judge suspicious, i.e., biased, and annulled all files of the case against the former head of state.

Thanks to the annulment of this case, the leader of the Workers’ Party (PT, left) has regained his political rights and is now running against Bolsonaro in the second round of presidential elections scheduled for Oct. 30.

The new senator from Paraná state also had differences with Bolsonaro, with whom he worked as justice minister during the first two years of his administration.

Moro had left office amid accusations that Bolsonaro had tried to interfere with the police to benefit family members and allies involved in corruption investigations but had sought a rapprochement in recent months to win votes from the conservative electorate that is aligned with the head of state.

Rio de Janeiro’s re-elected governor, Claudio Castro, declared his support for Bolsonaro on Tuesday.

“Gratitude is not prescribed to Bolsonaro’s victory, and we will make in Rio de Janeiro the biggest difference in Brazil,” Castro said at a press conference.

Earlier in the day, Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema declared his support for the incumbent president, seeking re-election.

More than 150 million Brazilians will have to choose between Bolsonaro and former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the second round of the presidential election, which will be held on Oct. 30.

More: Brazil news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

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