Brazilian prosecutors file charges against ex-President Lula
Lula was not formally arrested and was released after four hours of questioning. However, the headquarters of his nonprofit foundation Instituto Lula was also searched, as well as properties connected to his sons and other family members.
Officials at the time said they were investigating payments of some 30 million Brazilian reais ($8.12 million, 7.4 million euros) made in return for speeches and donations to the institute.
Sweeteners for contracts
Among the firms linked to Lula and his properties are crucial players connected to the Petrobras corruption scandal, which has rocked the Brazilian establishment and the government of President Dilma Rousseff.
Brazil`s biggest company, Petrobras is in charge of tapping big offshore oil fields and creating wealth that Brazil`s leaders had hoped might power the country`s development.
However, prosecutors allege that more than $2 billion (1.82 billion euros) was paid in bribes by businessmen to obtain lucrative Petrobras contracts. Investigators also have said some of the money made its way to several political parties, including 70-year-old Silva`s own Workers` Party.






