BRASíLIA - A Brazilian appeals court on Tuesday reduced leftist former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's 12-year sentence for bribery and money laundering. The ruling, broadcast live on the court's YouTube channel, could mean Lula is eligible for "semi-open" prison later this year. That was increased by an appeals court in January 2018 -- a decision the Superior Court of Justice panel ruled Tuesday was "excessive." But that depends on the outcome of Lula's appeals in the second conviction. Bolsonaro's victory in October's elections ended decades of center-left rule in Brazil and reduced Lula's chances of freedom.

Source: Bangkok Post April 23, 2019 22:52 UTC